Bar code symbol driven systems for accessing information resources on the internet

ABSTRACT

A bar code symbol driven system for accessing information resources from information servers connected to communication networks, including the Internet. The system includes a bar code symbol reader ( 7 a) for reading bar code symbols encoded with information representative of information resources stored in information servers connected to the Internet and supporting the TCP/IP standard. A computing platform ( 6 ) is provided for supporting an Internet browser. A telecommunication modem is operably connected to the computing platform in order to establish a two way telecommunication link between the Internet browser and an Internet service provider (ISP) connected to the Internet. In response to reading bar code symbols ( 8 ), the Internet browser automatically accesses information resources from Internet information servers ( 2 ) using the information encoded in bar code symbols read by the bar code symbol reader ( 7 a).

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention is directed to a novel bar-code symboldriven Internet Access Terminal, and method of accessing Internet-basedinformation resources by scanning bar code symbols encoded with UniformResource Locators (URLs) or Domain Name/Path Name (DN/PN) portionsthereof indicating the location of such information resources on theInternet.

[0003] 2. Brief Description of the State of the Art

[0004] Presently, several techniques have been developed for connectingto or accessing (i.e., “surfing” among) Internet-based informationresources on the World Wide Web (WWW) using a conventional graphicaluser interface (GUI) based Internet browser programs, such as theNavigator® from Netscape Communications, Inc. or the Internet Explorer®from Microsoft, Inc. The availability of any particular Web-site surfingtechnique depends on where the Internet user finds him or her self inthe Internet browser program at any particular instant of time.

[0005] For example, if one is currently at a Web-site (i.e., in aparticular HyperText Markup Language (HTML) document), at which there isa highlighted or embedded “link” specifying the Internet address ofanother Web-site (i.e., another HTML document), then the user can access(i.e., “surf to”) this other Web-site by simply “clicking on” orselecting the highlighted URL with his or her pointing device (i.e.,“mouse”) in a conventional manner. The ability to connect to otherWeb-sites by simply pointing and clicking on highlighted URLs embeddedin an HTML document has contributed enormously to the growth andpopularity of the Internet in the last few years.

[0006] If the user desires to access an information resource on the WWWthat is not referenced in a HTML document viewed through a browserprogram, then the user oftentimes finds it necessary to manually enterthe URL of the information resource (e.g., “http://www.metrologic.com”)into the browser program. This requires manually pressing a sequence ofkeys on a keyboard or remote control device, corresponding to thng tothe characters of the URL being selected In addition to being timeconsuming, this Web-site surfing technique is prone to errors, causingthe browser program to connect to the wrong Web-site or return a messagestating that the Domain Name of the Web-site sought after cannot befound. From practical point of view, this is quite frustrating to theInternet user.

[0007] More recently, with the growth and ever increasing complexity ofthe WWW, it is becoming popular to use printed publications (e.g.,magazines, catalogues, directories, etc.) which list Web-site,corresponding URLs and content descriptions, as navigational aids, muchin same way that the TV GUIDE® magazine is used to help viewers selectprograms during television viewing. Again, however, each time a listedWeb-site (i.e., collection of HTML documents linked to a “home page”HTML document) is to be viewed, the user is forced to manually enterinto the Internet browser program, the lengthy character stringassociated with the URL of the Web-site being selected. Only thereafter,does the browser program automatically connect the user's client system(i.e., Internet access terminal) to the Internet Server computersupporting (i.e., hosting) the selected Web-site.

[0008] While the development of HTML and GUI-based Web browser programshave made accessing Web-sites relatively simple, the above shortcomingsand drawbacks of prior art technology clearly indicate a great need inthe art for an improved system and method of accessing and processinginformation resources on the Internet.

DISCLOSURE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0009] Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention toprovide an improved method and apparatus for accessing informationresources on the Internet, while avoiding the shortcomings and drawbacksof prior art systems and methodologies.

[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide anInternet Access System which includes an bar code symbol reader forreading DN/PN-encoded (Domain Name and Path Name encoded) or URL-encoded(Uniform Resource Location encoded) bar code symbols printed on varioustypes of objects, including print media, which, when read thereby,automatically connects the Internet Access System to the Internet Servercontaining the information resource specified by the scannedDN/PN-encoded or URL-encoded bar code symbol.

[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide suchInternet Access System, wherein the bar code symbol reader may be alaser scanning bar code symbol reader, a CCD-type bar code symbol, or aWand-type bar code symbol reader.

[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide such anInternet Access System, wherein the DN-encoded bar code symbol printedon various types of print media is a DN/PN-encoded truncated-type barcode symbol, having a very low height to length ratio, thereby allowingmany URL-encoded bar code symbols to be printed on a single sheet orpage of print media, along with their corresponding human-readable URLsand content descriptions.

[0013] A further object of the present invention is to provide such anInternet Access System, wherein the URL-encoded bar code symbol printedon various types of print media is a URL-encoded truncated-type bar codesymbol, having a very low height to length ratio, thereby allowing manyURL-encoded bar code symbols to be printed on a single sheet or page ofa Web-site guide, along with their corresponding human-readable URLs andcontent descriptions.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide such anInternet Access System in the form of a desktop, laptop or palmtopcomputer system that is connected to the Internet by way of an InternetService Provider (ISP), wherein the computer system has a GUI-based webbrowser program and a programmed bar code symbol scanner interfacedtherewith for automatically accessing each information resource (e.g.,Web-sites) listed in a Web-site guide by simply scanning URL-encoded barcode symbols corresponding thereto printed on the pages thereof.

[0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide anInternet Access System in the form of an interactive web-basedtelevision system, wherein the web-based television system comprises aInternet terminal unit connected to the Internet by way of an ISP, anaudio-visual display monitor for displaying graphical and audioinformation content of HTML-encoded documents (i.e., Web-sites), and aportable Internet access device having a wireless IR-based communicationlink to the Internet terminal unit and an integrated bar code symbolscanner for automatically surfing to (or among) Web-sites listed in aWeb-site guide by simply scanning corresponding URL-encoded bar codesymbols printed on the pages thereof.

[0016] A further object of the present invention is to provide such anInternet Access System in the form of a Scanner Integrated Terminal,wherein the Scanner Integrated Terminal is connectable to the Internetby way of a wireless (RF) link to an ISP, and has an integratedGUI-based web browser program, display panel, keypad, and programmed barcode symbol scanner for automatically accessing (surfing to) Web-siteslisted in a Web-site guide by simply scanning corresponding DN-encoded(or URL-encoded) bar code symbols printed on the pages thereof.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novelmethod of accessing HTML-encoded documents on the Internet by scanningURL-encoded bar code symbols into conventional GUI-based web browserprograms, without the need of manual data entry operations or the like.

[0018] A further object of the present invention is to provide anInternet Access System, which includes an optical character readerprogrammed to read the character strings of URLs printed on varioustypes of print media which, when read thereby, automatically connectsthe Internet Client System to the Internet Server that supports theWeb-site or HTML-document specified by the read URL.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide such anInternet Access System in the form of a desktop, laptop, palmtop orbody-wearable computer system that is connected to the Internet by wayof an Internet Service Provider (ISP), wherein the computer system has aGUI-based web browser program and a programmed bar code symbol readerinterfaced therewith for automatically accessing information resources,such as HTML-encoded documents, located in information servers connectedto the Internet.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide anInternet Access System in the form of an interactive web-basedtelevision system, wherein the web-based television system comprises anInternet terminal connected to the Internet by way of an ISP, anaudiovisual (AV) display monitor for displaying graphical and audioinformation content of Web-sites, and a portable Internet surfing devicehaving a wireless IR-based communication link to the Internet Terminalunit and an integrated optical character reader for automaticallysurfing to Web-sites listed in a Web-site guide by simply scanningcorresponding URLs printed on the pages thereof.

[0021] A further object of the present invention is to provide such anInternet Access System in the form of a Scanner Integrated Terminal,wherein the Scanner Integrated Terminal is connectable to the Internetby way of a wireless (RF) link to an ISP, and has an integratedGUI-based web browser program, display panel, keypad, and programmedoptical character reader for automatically surfing to Web-sites listedin a Web-site guide by simply scanning corresponding URLs printed on thepages thereof.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novelmethod of surfing to Web-sites on the Internet by optically scanning thecharacter strings of URLs into GUI-based web browser programs, withoutthe need of manual data entry operations and the like.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novelsystem and method for Printing URL-encoded bar code symbols on varioustypes of print media which, when read thereby, automatically connectsthe Internet Client System to the Internet Server that supports theWeb-site specified by the scanned URL-encoded bar code symbol.

[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novelsystem and method of accessing information resources on the Internet byreading Java-Applet type encoded bar code symbols printed on varioustypes of media.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is to provide such asystem and method, wherein the Internet Client System is automaticallyconnected to the Internet information resources specified by the scannedApplet-encoded bar code symbol, for locally processing and display inaccordance with the encoded Applet.

[0026] Another object of the present invention is to provide such asystem in the form of suitably programmed desktop Web-linked computerworkstation or laptop computer system having a graphical user interface(GUI) and an Internet browser program having a plug-in type URL-MenuComposition/Printing Module that supports the bar code menu composition,transmission and printing processes of the present invention.

[0027] A further object of the present invention is to provide such assystem, in which an Internet browser program and plug-in URL-MenuComposition/Printing Module allows the user to easily compile thefollowing information structure during operation of the Internet browserprogram: a list of human-readable URLs corresponding to a set or courseof information serving Web-sites, a set of URL-encoded bar code symboldata structures corresponding thereto, a set of titles assigned to theURLs, a set of brief descriptions of content served at the Web-sites(i.e., HTML documents), and date or dates the set of Web-sites (i.e.,HTML documents) were last visited by the compiler, for subsequentprinting in the form of a menu.

[0028] A further object of the present invention is to provide a such asystem, in which the compiled information structure can beelectronically transmitted to a remote site, by e-mail, facsimiletransmission, or other protocol available over the Internet, andthereafter printed out using appropriate print-driver software, so thatthe Web-sites listed in the compiled information structure can be easilyvisited by reading the corresponding URL-encoded bar code symbol intothe Internet browser program using a bar code scanner.

[0029] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novelWeb-site guide or directory comprising one or more sheets having aplurality of URL-encoded bar code symbols, corresponding human-readableURLs and Web-site content descriptions printed thereon.

[0030] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novelWeb-based document tracking and management system, in which each printeddocument (e.g., brochure, drawing, 3-D objects or specimens, photograph,specification, blue-print, and the like) to be tracked and managedwithin the system is uniquely assigned and affixed with a printedURL-encoded bar code symbol that specifies (i.e., points to) aparticular information storage location within an HTML-encodedrelational database management system (RDBMS), realized on an Web-basedinformation server located on the Internet or behind the corporatefirewall of an HTTP-supporting Intranet.

[0031] Another object of the present invention is to provide such aWeb-based document tracking and management system, in which informationrelating to a document registered within the system can be easilyaccessed therefrom by simply scanning the printed URL-encoded bar codesymbol on the document using the bar code symbol reader associated withan Internet Access Terminal (i.e., client computer system) of thepresent invention.

[0032] Another object of the present invention is to provide such aWeb-based document tracking and management system, in which the InternetAccess Terminal of each user can be used to: (1) assign a URL-encodedbar code symbol to any document to be registered with the system; (2)enter document-related information into the information storage locationassigned to the document within the Web-based RDBMS; (3) print outURL-encoded bar code symbols for attachment to corresponding documentsregistered within the system; (4) modify at any time thedocument-related information currently stored in the information storagelocation assigned to the document within the Web-based RDBMS; and (5)access such document related information from the system by simplyreading its corresponding URL-encoded bar code symbol.

[0033] Another object of the present invention is to provide a Web-basedpackage routing, tracking and delivering system and method that usesURL-encoded bar code symbols on parcels and packages.

[0034] A further object of the present invention is to provide such aWeb-based package routing, tracking and delivery system and method,wherein one or more Routing, Tracking and Delivery (RTD) Internet ServerSubsystems are connected to the Internet and updated at any instant oftime with package related information produced by either (i) a PackageLog-In/Shipping Subsystem that is located at a product shipping location(e.g., warehouse) and connected to the RTD Internet Server by a firstdata communication link, (ii) a Package Routing Subsystem that islocated at a hub station and connected to the RTD Internet Server by asecond data communication link, or (iii) a Portable Package DeliverySubsystem that is carried by the package delivery person and connectedto the RTD Internet Server by a wireless data communication link.

[0035] A further object of the present invention is to provide such aWeb-based package routing, tracking and delivery system and method,wherein at each remote hub station within the system: the URL/ZIP-CODEencoded bar code symbol is automatically scanned; the encodeddestination Zip Code is locally recovered and used to route the packageat the hub station; and the locally recovered URL is used to access theRTD Internet Server and update the location of the package within thesystem.

[0036] Another object of the present invention is to provide such aWeb-based package routing, tracking and delivery system and method,wherein when the URL/ZIP-CODE Encoded bar code symbol is read by adeliveryman or courier using a portable (wireless) Internet AccessTerminal, the recovered URL is used to automatically access the RTDInternet Server and display on the Internet Access Terminal, preciseup-to-date parcel delivery information, payment-method terms, handlinginstructions and the like.

[0037] These and other Objects of the Present Invention will becomeapparent hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] For a more complete understanding of how to practice the presentinvention, the following Best Modes for Carrying Out The PresentInvention should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings,wherein:

[0039]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the first preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, in which the Internet Access System hereof isrealized in the form of a desktop computer system shown connected to theInternet by way of an ISP, and having a GUI-based web browser programand a bar code symbol scanner for automatically accessing HTML-encodeddocuments (i.e., surfing to Web-sites) listed in a Web-site guide bysimply scanning corresponding URL-encoded bar code symbols printed onthe pages thereof;

[0040]FIG. 1A is schematic representation of a single sheet or page ofthe Web-site Directory of the present invention, showing severalURL-encoded (truncated) bar code symbols printed thereon along withtheir corresponding human-readable Urbs and content descriptions;

[0041]FIG. 1B(1) is a schematic diagram of a bar code-driven InternetAccess System according to a first generalized embodiment of the presentinvention, shown reading a bar code symbol that has been encoded with(i) the program command that writes the URL into the informationresource “Goto” window (i.e., “Goto” buffer) of the Internet browserprogram, (ii) the complete URL of an Internet information resource to beaccessed, and (iii) the Internet browser program command that executes aHyper-Text Transmission Protocol (HTTP) request on the URL entered intothe “Goto” window;

[0042]FIG. 1B(2)is a schematic diagram of a bar code-driven InternetAccess System according to a second generalized embodiment of thepresent invention, for automatically (i) reading a bar code symbol thathas been encoded with the complete URL of an Internet informationresource to be accessed, and (ii) affixing thereto a prefix code stringrepresentative of the program command that writes the URL into theinformation resource “Goto” window of the Internet browser program, anda suffix code string representative of the program command that executesa HTTP request on the URL entered into the “Goto” window;

[0043]FIG. 1B(3) is a schematic diagram of a bar code-driven InternetAccess System according to a third generalized embodiment of the presentinvention, for automatically (i) reading a bar code symbol that has beenencoded with only the Domain Name ((DN) or underlying IP address) andserver Path Name portion of the URL of an Internet information resourceto be accessed, (ii) affixing thereto prefix code strings representativeof (1) the program command that writes the URL into the informationresource “Goto” window of the Internet browser program and (2) theInternet protocol identifier (e.g., “http://”), and (iii) affixingthereto suffix code strings representative of the program command thatexecutes a HTTP request on the URL entered into the “Goto” Window;

[0044]FIG. 1B(4) is a schematic diagram of a bar code-driven InternetAccess System according to a fourth generalized embodiment of thepresent invention for automatically (i) reading a bar code symbol thathas been encoded with the complete URL of an Internet informationresource to be accessed, (ii) writing the URL into the informationresource “Goto” window of the Internet browser program, and (iii)executing a HTTP request on the URL entered into the “Goto” window;

[0045]FIG. 1C(1) is a graphical representation of an exemplary 1-D(linear ) URL-encoded bar code symbol of the present invention,containing ASCII code elements representative of the complete URL of anInternet information resource to be accessed (e.g.,http://www.pepsi.com) as well the program command (e.g., CTL(L)) thatwrites the URL into the information resource “Goto” window of theInternet browser program and the program command (e.g., RTN) thatexecutes a HTTP request on the URL entered into the “Goto” window;

[0046]FIG. 1C(2) is a graphical representation of an exemplary 2-DURL-encoded bar code symbol of the PDF417 Symbology, encoded accordingto the principles of the present invention;

[0047]FIG. 1D(1) is a graphical representation of an exemplary “multiple1-D” URL-encoded bar code symbol structure according to the presentinvention, comprising a pair of discrete 1-D URL-encoded bar codesymbols, wherein the first bar code symbol contains ASCII code elementsrepresentative of the program command (e.g., CTL(L)) that writes the URLinto the information resource “Goto” window of the program, the completeURL of an Internet information resource to be accessed (e.g.,http://www.metrologic.com), and the Internet browser program command(e.g., RTN) that executes a HTTP request on the URL entered into the“Goto” window, whereas the second bar code symbol contains ASCII codeelements representative of the Internet browser program command (e.g.,CTL(L)) that writes the URL into the information resource “Goto” windowof the Internet browser program, the Path Name portion of the URL of theInternet information resource to be accessed (e.g.,/Products/ms6720.html), and the program command (e.g., RTN) thatexecutes a HTTP request on the URL entered into the “Goto” window;

[0048]FIG. 1D(2) is a graphical representation of an exemplary 1-DURL-encoded bar code symbol of the present invention, containing ASCIIcode elements representative of the program command (e.g., CTL(L)) thatwrites the URL into the information resource “Goto” window of theInternet browser program, the complete URL of an Internet informationresource to be accessed (e.g., http://www.clearlake.ibm.com) includingthe Path Name portion thereof (e.g., /Mfg/bocaraton), and the programcommand (e.g., RTN) that executes a HTTP request on the entered URL uponthe reading of the bar code symbol;

[0049]FIG. 1E(1) is a graphical representation of an exemplary 1-DURL-encoded bar code symbol of the present invention, containing ASCIIcode elements representative of the Internet browser program command(e.g., CTL(L)) that writes the URL into the information resource “Goto”window of the Internet browser program, the complete URL of an Internetinformation resource to be accessed (e.g., http://www.moore.com)including the Domain Name (e.g., moore.com) and Path Name portionthereof (e.g., //labels), and the Internet browser program command(e.g., RTN) that executes a HTTP request on the entered URL upon thereading of the bar code symbol;

[0050]FIG. 1E(2) is a graphical representation of the hexidecimal numberstring corresponding to the exemplary 1-D URL-encoded bar code symbol ofFIG. 1E(1) that is transmitted from the bar code symbol reader to theInternet browser program of the Internet Access System of the presentinvention;

[0051]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the second preferred embodimentof the present invention, in which the Internet Access System hereof isrealized in the form of an interactive web-based television system whichcomprises a Terminal Unit shown connected to the Internet by way of anISP and has portable Internet Navigation (i.e., surfing) Device havingan IR-interface to the Terminal Unit, and a bar code symbol scannerintegrated therewith for automatically accessing Web-sites listed in aWeb-site guide by simply scanning corresponding URL-encoded bar codesymbols printed on the pages thereof;

[0052]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the third preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, in which the Internet Access System hereof isrealized in the form of a hand-held Scanner Terminal shown connected tothe Internet by way of a wireless link to an ISP, and having anintegrated GUI-based web browser program, display panel, keypad, andprogrammed bar code symbol scanner for automatically surfing toWeb-sites listed in a Web-site guide by simply scanning correspondingURL-encoded bar code symbols printed on the pages thereof;

[0053]FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an exemplary window of anInternet browser program running on the system of FIG. 1, and also anexemplary window for the URL-menu Composition/Printing Module plug-in ofthe present invention allowing its user to compose, transmit and printURL-encoded menus according to the principles of the present invention;

[0054]FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an exemplary sequence ofWeb-sites (e.g., HTML documents) along a Web-site “surf course” that areto be digested within a URL-encoded menu composed and printed accordingto the present invention;

[0055]FIG. 6A is a schematic representation of an exemplary portion ofan information storage structure for a URL-encoded Menu, showing thevarious information storage fields contained therein;

[0056]FIG. 6B is a schematic representation of an exemplary section ofthe URL-encoded Menu of FIG. 6A, showing the various information displayfields contained therein;

[0057]FIGS. 7A and 7B provide a flow chart setting forth the stepscarried out during the execution of the illustrative embodiment of theBar Code Menu Composition/Printing Module of the present invention;

[0058]FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the Web-Based Package Routing,Tracking and Delivery (RTD) System of the Present Invention showing aplurality of RTD Internet Servers connected to the Internetinfrastructure, a plurality of Package Routing Subsystems located atremote hub stations of the system and connected to the RTD InternetServers by way of the Internet infrastructure, a plurality of Log-InShipping Computer Subsystems located at product shipping locationsthroughout the world and connected to the RTD Internet Servers by way ofthe Internet infrastructure, and a plurality of Portable PackageDelivery (PPD) Computer-Based Subsystems with wireless connection to theRTD Internet Servers;

[0059]FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a Package Log-in/ShippingComputer-Based Subsystem of the Web-based RTD System of the presentinvention;

[0060]FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram showing the various informationfields of a first, preferred illustrative embodiment of a URL/ZIP-CODEencoded bar code symbol for use with the RTD system hereof;

[0061]FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram showing the various informationfields of a second illustrative embodiment of URL/ZIP-CODE encoded barcode symbol for use with the RTD system hereof;

[0062]FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a RTD Internet Server(Subsystem) of the Web-based RTD System of the present invention;

[0063]FIG. 11A is a schematic representation of the informationarchitecture of the RTD Internet Server of the Web-based RTD System ofthe present invention, showing its relational database management system(RDBMS), Common Gateway Interface (CGI), and HTTP Server serving anHTML-encoded web-page having URL-specified information storage fieldsrepresented therein;

[0064]FIG. 11B is a schematic representation of an information structurecomprising information elements stored in the RDBMS of the RTD InternetServer that are linked to an information storage location in anHTML-encoded web-page which is specified by a Uniform Resource Locator(URL) that has been uniquely assigned to a particular package beingtracked within the RTD system of the present invention;

[0065]FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating the steps carried out at thePackage Log-In/Shipping Subsystems during a package logging-in operationwithin the RTD system of the present invention;

[0066]FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a Package Routing Subsystemlocated at a routing hub within the RTD system of the present invention,shown scanning a URL/ZIP-CODE encoded bar code symbol on a shippedpackage being routed therewithin;

[0067]FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating the steps carried out at eachPackage Routing Subsystem upon the reading of a URL/ZIP-CODE encoded barcode symbol on a package during a package routing operation within theRTD system of the present invention;

[0068]FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a portable Package DeliverySubsystem of the present invention shown scanning the URL/ZIP-CODEencoded bar code symbol on a shipped package during a package deliveryoperation within the RTD system of the present invention;

[0069]FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating the steps carried out duringa package delivery operation using a portable Package Delivery Subsystemof the present invention;

[0070]FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention, in which the Internet Access System hereof isrealized in the form of a hand-held Scanner Terminal shown connected tothe Internet by way of a wireless interface to an ISP, and having anintegrated GUI-based web browser program, display panel, keypad, andprogrammed bar code symbol scanner for automatically scanningJava-Applet encoded bar code symbols printed on various types of objectsand media;

[0071]FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of a body-wearable bar codesymbol driven Internet access system according to the present invention,having a hand-mounted bar code symbol reader and a forearm-mountedremote unit containing a microcomputing system for supporting Internetaccess and hands-free information display operations; and

[0072]FIG. 19 is a schematic representation showing the body-wearablesystem of FIG. 18 being used to access information resources (e.g., HTMLdocuments containing audio and video information) from anInternet-enabled database during inspection and/or repair of a system orplant in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0073] The best modes for carrying out the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the figure drawings wherein like elementsand structures are indicated by like reference numbers.

[0074] Overview Of The Internet Access System Hereof

[0075] In general, the system and method of the present invention ispracticed in connection with a globally-based digital telecommunicationsnetwork (known as the Internet). The function of the Internet is toprovide an infrastructure that supports wired and wireless digitaltelecommunications throughout the world using the well known TCP/IPnetworking protocols. In general, the Internet infrastructure comprisesInternet Service Providers (ISPs), Network Service Providers (NSPs),routers, telecommunication lines and channels. etc., all well known inthe art.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 1, many Internet Web-site Servers (i.e., HTTPserving computer systems) 2 located throughout the world are connectedto the Internet 1 by way of the Internet infrastructure (i.e., ISPs andNSPs). As the name implies, the function of an Internet Server 2 is toserve information resources (e.g., HTTP documents, FTP files, etc.) toInternet users when requested to do so by a client computer system. Thelocation of each and every information resource on an information serverconnected to the Internet infrastructure is specified by a UniformResource Locator (URL), the syntax of which is well known in the art.Any client computer system that provides access to such informationresources by scanning one or more URL-encoded bar code symbols inaccordance with the principles taught herein shall hereinafter bereferred to as an “Internet Access System” or “Internet AccessTerminal”, generally indicated by reference number 3 in the drawings.

[0077] In general, each Internet Information Server 2 and client system3 may be connected to the Internet infrastructure by way of an ISP 4 (orNSP) using physical communication media or a wireless (RF-based) digitalcommunication link 5 well known in the art. Notably, while eachillustrative embodiment of the Internet Access System hereof is realizedin the form of a Client System operably connected to the infrastructureof the Internet by way of an ISP, it is understood that the Internetconnection may be achieved through an NSP or other access point in theInternet infrastructure.

[0078] In the illustrative embodiments, each Internet Web-site Server 2is realized as a computer system running conventional Web-site serversoftware (e.g., WebStar® from StarNine, Inc., FASTRAK™ Server fromNetscape Communications, Inc, or Microsoft® Internet Information Serverfrom Microsoft Corporation) and is interfaced with an ISP in aconventional manner. Each Internet Web-site Server is assigned a uniqueTCP/IP address (and Domain Name) on the Internet, and is provided withInternet networking software to support the TCP/IP protocol. Inaddition, each Internet Web-site server is provided with one or moreapplication software programs for creating and maintaining hypermediadocuments containing text, graphics and audio information within aninformation file structure expressed in HTML. Each HTML document on theWWW is physically stored in an Internet Server 2. The location of suchinformation storage on the WWW is specified by its URL. The function ofa URL is best illustrated by way of example. Metrologic Instruments,Inc., the assignee of the present invention, has launched a WWW sitehaving a “home page” (i.e., first page) specified by the following URL:“http://www.metrologic.com”. The type of information maintained at thisWeb-site, beginning with Metrologics home page, can be virtually anytype of information (e.g of a multimedia nature) and typically will beperiodically or continuously updated to reflect changes in the company,its products, its services and the like. The same is generally true foreach and every other Web-site on the Internet, regardless of the type ofinformation being served to requesting client systems.

[0079] In general, there are several different ways of accessinginformation resources on the Internet by scanning URL-encoded orDN-encoded bar code symbols in accordance with the present invention.Four generalized methods of accessing information resources on theInternet using URL-encoded bar code symbols are illustrated in FIGS.1B(1), 1B(2), 1B(3) and 1B(4). Each of these generalized methods can becarried out within the particular illustrative embodiments of theInternet Access System shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 to be described ingreat detail hereinafter.

[0080] First Generalized Method Of Information Resource Access On TheInternet Using URL-Encoded Code Symbols

[0081] In FIG. 1B(1), a first generalized method of accessinginformation on the Internet using URL-encoded bar code symbols isillustrated. As shown, this access method can be carried out using anInternet Access System 3 comprising two primary subsystem components,namely: (1) a programmed bar code symbol reader 3A; and (2) an InternetTerminal 3B. The primary function of the programmed bar code symbolreader 3A is to read a bar code symbol that has been encoded with (i)the Internet browser program command that writes the URL into theinformation resource ““Goto”” window (i.e., “Goto” buffer) of theInternet browser program, (ii) the complete URL of an Internetinformation resource to be accessed, and (iii) the Internet browserprogram command that executes a Hyper-Text Transmission Protocol (HTTP)request on the URL entered into the “Goto” window. The function of theInternet Terminal 3B is to: (1) provide an interconnection to theInternet infrastructure by way of ISP 4 (or NSP) using communicationmedia or link 5; and (2) carry out the client-side of the Internetprotocol (e.g., HTTP, FTP, etc.) required to access and display theparticular information resource specified by the URL encoded within thebar code symbol.

[0082] In general, programmed bar code symbol reader 3A comprises anumber of subsystem components, namely: an optical scanning device andscan data processor means 3A1 (e.g., bar code laser scanner, CCD-basedbar code scanner, etc.); programmable decoder module 3A2 (e.g.,programmed microprocessor with control and decoding algorithms); anddata transmission module 3A3. The function of the optical scanningdevice and scan data processor means 3A1 is to optically scan bar codesymbols, and produce words of digital scan data (representative of thelength of the bars and spaces of the code symbol) for use in subsequentdecode processing. The function of the programmable decoder module 3A2is to process these words of digital scan data and produce ASCII-basedsymbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol. Thefunction of data transmission circuitry 3A3 is to transmit the ASCIIformatted data from decoder module 3A2 to Internet Terminal 3B for usein accessing and displaying the particular information resourcespecified by the URL encoded within the decoded bar code symbol.

[0083] In FIG. 1B(1), the Internet Access System of the firstgeneralized embodiment is shown reading a single 1-D URL-encoded barcode symbol. In this generalized embodiment, the URL-encoded bar codesymbol contains ASCII code elements that are representative of followinginformation items: (1) the Internet browser program command (e.g.,CTL(L)) that writes the URL into the information resource “Goto” windowof the Internet browser program; (2) the complete URL of the Internetinformation resource to be accessed (e.g., http://www.metrologic.com);and (3) the Internet browser program command (e.g., RTN) that executes aHTTP request on the URL entered into the “Goto” window. It isunderstood, however, such information may be encoded into a 2-D bar codesymbol as shown in FIG. 1C(2), or alternatively into two or more 1-DURL-encoded bar code symbols, as shown in FIG. 1D(1).

[0084] In FIG. 1D(1), a pair of bar code symbols are used to encoded theinformation contained in the bar URL-encoded bar code of FIG. 1C(1). Insuch an embodiment, the first bar code symbol contains ASCII codeelements representative of: (1) the Internet browser program command(e.g., CTL(L)) that writes the URL into the information resource “Goto”window of the Internet browser program; (2) the complete URL of anInternet information resource to be accessed (e.g.,http://www.metrologic.com); and (3) the Internet browser program command(e.g., RTN) that executes a HTTP request on the URL entered into the“Goto” window. The second bar code symbol contains ASCII code elementsrepresentative of: (1) the Internet browser program command (e.g.,CTL(L)) that writes the URL into the information resource “Goto” windowof the Internet browser program; (2) the Path Name portion of the URL ofthe Internet information resource to be accessed (e.g.,/Products/ms6720.html); and (3) the Internet browser program command(e.g., RTN) that executes a HTTP request on the URL entered into the“Goto” window. In either of the above illustrative embodiments, it willbe common for URL-encoded bar code symbols to include a Path Nameportion thereof (e.g., /Mfg/bocaraton), as illustrated in FIG. 1D(2),which may be of substantial character length in many instances.

[0085] These alternative coding techniques can be advantageous where thecharacter length of the URL becomes significantly large, as in the casewhere the information resource to be accessed is located deep within anumber of subdirectories or subfolders of an information server, orwithin a back-end database connected to the information server by way ofa CGI or like interface mechanism.

[0086] At this juncture, a brief discussion about information formatsand bar code symbologies is in order. In general, the information thatmust be encoded into the structure of a bar code symbol in accordancewith the present invention is expressible in the ASCII data format. Thisfact is based on the nature of the characters used in URL specification,browser design and keyboard construction. Thus, any bar code symbologycapable of representing the characters in the ASCII character set can beused to practice the information encoding technique of the presentinvention. In the preferred embodiment, any one of the following barcode symbologies can be used for URL-encoding: Code 128; full ASCIIcharacter set of Code 39; and Code 93. While an ASCII formattedcharacter string has been encoded within the bar code symbol of FIG.1E(1), the information string actually transmitted from bar code symbolreader 3A to the Internet browser program (of the Internet Terminal 3B)will be typically expressed in the hexidecimal number format shown inFIG. 1E(2). It is understood, however, that the format of thetransmitted information string may differ from embodiment to embodimentof the present invention.

[0087] Second Generalized Method Of Information Resource Access On TheInternet Using URL-Encoded Code Symbols

[0088] In FIG. 1B(2), a second generalized method of accessinginformation on the Internet using URL-encoded bar code symbols isillustrated. As shown, this access method can be carried out using anInternet Access System 3 comprising two primary subsystem components,namely: (1) a programmed bar code symbol reader 3A; and (2) InternetTerminal 3B. The function of the programmed bar code symbol reader 3A isto: (i) read a bar code symbol that has been encoded with the completeURL of an Internet information resource to be accessed; and (ii) affixthereto a prefix code string (i.e., CTR(L)) representative of theInternet browser program command that writes the URL into theinformation resource “Goto” window of the Internet browser program, anda suffix code string (i.e., RTN) representative of the Internet browserprogram command that executes a HTTP request on the URL entered into the“Goto” window. The function of the Internet Terminal 3B is to: (1)provide an interconnection to the Internet infrastructure by way of ISP4 (or NSP) using communication media or link 5; and (2) carry out theclient-side of the Internet protocol (e.g., HTTP, FTP, etc.) required toaccess and display the particular information resource specified by theURL encoded within the bar code symbol.

[0089] In general, programmed bar code symbol reader 3A comprises anumber of subsystem components, namely: optical scanning device and scandata processor 3A1 (e.g., bar code laser scanner, CCD-based bar codescanner, etc.); programmable decoder module 3A2 (e.g., programmedmicroprocessor with control and decoding algorithms); data transmissioncircuitry 3A3; an ASCII code generation module 3A4; and a code stringsynthesizer module 3A5. The function of the optical scanning device andscan data processor 3A1 is to scan bar code symbols, and produce wordsof digital scan data (representative of the length of the bars andspaces of the code symbol) for subsequent decode processing. Thefunction of the programmable decoder module 3A2 is to process such wordsof digital scan data and produce ASCII-based symbol character datarepresentative of the decoded bar code symbol. The function of the ASCIIcode generation module 3A3 is to generate (1) an ASCII-based prefix codestring (i.e., CTR(L)) representative of the Internet browser programcommand that writes the URL into the information resource “Goto” windowof the Internet browser program, and (2) a suffix code string (i.e.,RTN) representative of the Internet browser program command thatexecutes a HTTP request on the URL entered into the “Goto” window. Thefunction of the code string synthesizer module 3A5 is to synthesize theprefix and suffix code strings produced from ASCII code generator 3A4,with the URL character string from programmable decoder module 3A2, inorder to form a complete code string for transmission to the Internetbrowser program by way of data transmission circuitry 3A3. The functionof data transmission circuitry 3A3 is to transmit ASCII formatted datafrom the code string synthesizer module 3A5 to Internet Terminal 3B foruse in accessing and displaying the particular information resourcespecified by the URL encoded within the decoded bar code symbol.

[0090] In FIG. 1B(2), the Internet Access System of the secondgeneralized embodiment is shown reading a single 1-D URL-encoded barcode symbol. In this generalized embodiment, the URL-encoded bar codesymbol contains ASCII code elements representative of the complete URLof an information resource to be accessed from the Internet (e.g.,http://www.metrologic.com). It is understood, however, that theinformation encoded within the 1-D bar code symbol structure of FIG.1B(2) can be encoded into a 2-D bar code symbol structure or a pair of1-D bar code symbols as described hereinabove.

[0091] Third Generalized Method Of Information Resource Access On TheInternet Using URL-Encoded Code Symbols

[0092] In FIG. 1B(3), a third generalized method of accessinginformation on the Internet using URL-encoded bar code symbols isillustrated. As shown, this access method can be carried out using anInternet Access System 3 comprising two primary subsystem components,namely: (1) a programmed bar code symbol reader 3A; and (2) an InternetTerminal 3B. The function of the programmed bar code symbol reader 3A isto: (i) read a bar code symbol that has been encoded with the completeURL of an Internet information resource to be accessed; (ii) affixthereto prefix code strings representative of (1) the Internet browserprogram command that writes the URL into the information resource “Goto”window of the Internet browser program and (2) the Internet protocolidentifier (e.g., “http://”); and (iii) affix thereto a suffix codestring representative of the Internet browser program command thatexecutes a HTTP request on the URL entered into the “Goto” Window. Thefunction of the Internet Terminal 3B is to: (1) provide aninterconnection to the Internet infrastructure by way of ISP 4 (or NSP)using communication media or link 5; and (2) carry out the client-sideof the Internet protocol (e.g., HTTP, FTP, etc.) required to access anddisplay the particular information resource specified by the URL encodedwithin the bar code symbol.

[0093] In general, programmed bar code symbol reader of thisillustrative embodiment 3A comprises a number of subsystem components,namely: optical scanning device and scan data processor 3A1 (e.g., barcode laser scanner, CCD-based bar code scanner, etc.); programmabledecoder module 3A2 (e.g., programmed microprocessor with control anddecoding algorithms); data transmission circuitry 3A3; an ASCII codegeneration module 3A4; and a code string synthesizer module 3A5. Thefunction of the optical scanning device and scan data processor 3A1 isto scan bar code symbols, and produce words of digital scan data(representative of the length of the bars and spaces of the code symbol)for subsequent decode processing. The function of the programmabledecoder module 3A2 is to process these words of digital scan data andproduce ASCII-based symbol character data representative of the decodedbar code symbol. The function of the ASCII code generation module 3A4′,is to generate: (1) an ASCII-based prefix code string (i.e., CTR(L))representative of the Internet browser program command that writes theURL into the information resource “Goto” window of the Internet browserprogram; (2) the appropriate Internet protocol identifier (e.g.,“http://”); and (3) a suffix code string (i.e., RTN) representative ofthe Internet browser program command that executes a HTTP request on theURL entered into the “Goto” window. The function of code stringsynthesizer module 3A5 is to synthesize the URL character code producedby decoder module 3A2, with the code strings produced by ASCII codegenerator 3A4, in order to form a complete code string for transmissionto the Internet browser program by way of data transmission circuitry3A3. The function of data transmission circuitry 3A3 is to transmitASCII formatted data from the code string synthesizer module 3A5 toInternet Terminal 3B for use in accessing and displaying the particularinformation resource specified by the URL encoded within the decoded barcode symbol.

[0094] In FIG. 1B(3), the Internet Access System of the thirdgeneralized embodiment is shown reading a single 1-D URL-encoded barcode symbol. In this generalized embodiment, the URL-encoded bar codesymbol contains ASCII code elements representative of the complete URLof an Internet information resource to be accessed. It is understood,however, that the information encoded within the 1-D bar code symbolstructure of FIG. 1B(3) can be encoded into a 2-D bar code symbol or apair of bar code symbols as indicated hereinabove.

[0095] Fourth Generalized Method Of Information Resource Access On TheInternet Using URL-Encoded Code Symbols

[0096] In FIG. 1B(4), a fourth generalized method of accessinginformation on the Internet using URL-encoded bar code symbols isillustrated. As shown, this access method can be carried out using anInternet Access System 3 comprising two primary subsystem components,namely: (1) a programmed bar code symbol reader 3A; and (2) an InternetTerminal 3B. The function of programmed bar code symbol reader 3A is toread a bar code symbol that has been encoded with the complete URL of anInternet information resource to be accessed. The function of InternetTerminal 3B is to: (1) provide an interconnection to the Internetinfrastructure by way of ISP 4 (or NSP) using communication media orlink 5; and (2) carry out the client-side of the Internet protocol(e.g., HTTP, FTP, etc.)using an Internet browser program (e.g., with aplug-in module) which, upon scanning a bar code symbol, automaticallywrites the URL thereof into the information resource “Goto” window ofthe Internet browser program and executes a HTTP request on the URLentered into the “Goto” Window.

[0097] In general, programmed bar code symbol reader of thisillustrative embodiment 3A comprises a number of subsystem components,namely: optical scanning device and scan data processor 3A1 (e.g., barcode laser scanner, CCD-based bar code scanner, etc.); programmabledecoder module 3A2 (e.g., programmed microprocessor with control anddecoding algorithms); and data transmission module 3A3. The function ofthe optical scanning device and scan data processor 3A1 is to opticallyscan bar code symbols, and produce words of digital scan data(representative of the length of the bars and spaces of the code symbol)for subsequent decode processing. The function of the programmabledecoder module 3A2 is to process these words of digital scan data andproduce ASCII-based symbol character data representative of the decodedbar code symbol. The function of data transmission circuitry 3A3 is totransmit ASCII formatted data from programmable decoder module 3A2 toInternet Terminal 3B for use in accessing and displaying the particularinformation resource specified by the URL encoded within the decoded barcode symbol.

[0098] In FIG. 1B(4), the Internet Access System of the fourthgeneralized embodiment is shown reading a single 1-D URL-encoded barcode symbol. In this generalized embodiment, the URL-encoded bar codesymbol contains ASCII code elements representative of the complete URLof an Internet information resource to be accessed (e.g.,http://www.metrologic.com). It is understood, however, that theinformation encoded within the bar code symbol structure of FIG. 1B(4)can be encoded into a 2-D bar code symbol or a pair of 1-D bar codesymbols as indicated hereinabove.

[0099] The generalized embodiments of the Internet Access System of thepresent invention shown in FIGS. 1B(1) through 1B(4) and described abovecan be realized in a variety of ways using different types of enablingtechnology and system configurations tailored to the particularapplications at hand. Three different particular embodiments of theInternet Access System will now be described below in detail withreference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

[0100] First Preferred Embodiment Of The Internet Access System Hereof

[0101] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first preferred (particular)embodiment of the Internet Access System hereof 3 is realized in theform of a desktop computer system 6. As shown, the desktop computersystem consists of a video monitor 6A, a processor 6B, keyboard 6C,mouse 6C, and Postcript® laser printer 35, and is connected to theInternet by way of an ISP 4. The computer system 6 has a GUI-based webbrowser program and a hand-held, wireless laser scanning bar code symbolreading system 7 which is connected to the communication port of thishost system in a conventional manner. In the preferred embodiment,wireless bar code symbol reading system 7 comprises a hand-supportablelaser scanning bar code symbol reading device 7A and a base unit 7Bwhich receives RF signals transmitted from device 7A upon the successfulreading of each bar code symbol thereby; the base unit 7B produces anacoustical acknowledgement signal in response to each such successfulread. System 7 can be realized by any one of the (i) wireless bar codesymbol reading systems disclosed in copending application Ser. No.08/292,237 filed Aug. 17, 1994, or (ii) tethered bar code symbol readingsystems disclosed in copending application Ser. Nos. 08/476,069 and08/660,643, each said application being incorporated herein byreference.

[0102] While the operation of programmed bar code symbol reader 7 willdiffer slightly depending on which generalized Internet Access Method isused, the functions which it carries out will be generally the same,namely: to read a bar code symbol 8 that is encoded with either the URLor DN/PN of an information resource (e.g., Web-site) to be accessed bythe Internet Access System; and produce symbol character datarepresentative of the URL or DN/PN character string for use by theInternet browser program of its associated Internet Terminal. As usedhereinafter, these special types of encoded bar code symbols shall begenerally referred to as “URL-encoded bar code symbols”, regardless ofwhether the complete URL or only a portion thereof (e.g., DN or DN/PN)is encoded within the bar code symbol structure.

[0103] In the case of where either the first, second or thirdgeneralized Internet access method described above is employed, theInternet Terminal (realized by desktop computer system 6) can provideInternet access support by running any conventional GUI-based Internetbrowser program, such as the Navigator® from Netscape or the InternetExplorer® from Microsoft.

[0104] In the case of where the fourth generalized Internet accessmethod of FIG. 1B(4) is used, conventional browser programs of the typementioned above must be provided with a Plug-in Module (e.g., browsersubprogram) that can be readily written and installed within the browserprogram. The function of such a Plug-In Module is to: (i) automaticallyread scanned-URL information that is stored within an addressed databuffer at the I/O port of the client computer platform 6 (supporting theInternet Terminal); (ii) automatically write the URL information (in anappropriate format) to the data buffer assigned to the “Goto” window 40Aof the Internet browser display screen 40 (shown in FIG. 4); and then(iii) automatically initiate HTTP over the Internet to connect to theassociated Internet Server and access and display the informationresource located at the entered URL. In such embodiments, it ispreferred that each Internet Access System has a preloaded Internetbrowser program provided with the above-described Plug-In Module, or thefunctionalities provided thereby. It is understood, however, that insome instances it may be desirable to distribute or down-load thebrowser program and plug-in module to client computer systems from anInternet-based Information Server on the WWW using the well known filetransmission protocol (FTP). In this way, conventional client computersystems can be easily converted into Internet Access Systems accordingto the present invention.

[0105] In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the bar codesymbol reading system 7 is a laser scanning bar code symbol reader(e.g., a Metrologic Scanner MS951-48 with keyboard wedge) which isconnected to the data-input port of the client computer platform 6. Whenused to read a URL-encoded bar code symbol, the URL is automaticallyentered as input into the “Goto” window of the Internet browser program,and, by way of HTTP, the particular information resource correspondingto the URL is automatically accessed by the Internet Access System fordisplay on visual display terminal 6A in a manner well known in the art.

[0106] As mentioned hereinabove, each URL-encoded bar code symbol of thepresent invention can be either a linear (1-D) or 2-D bar code symbolstructure of virtually any symbology that allows for the encoding of the(ASCII-type) information contained within a URL-type informationstructure, the syntax of which is well known in the art. In thepreferred embodiment, the URL-encoded bar code symbol 8 is realized as atruncated-type bar code symbol constructed using any one of thefollowing bar code symbologies: Code 128; full ASCII character set ofCode 39; and Code 93. Preferably, each such bar code symbol is printedabove, below or alongside each Web-site URL 14 or its listing in aWeb-site guide or directory. Method and apparatus for composing andprinting such bar code symbol lists and menus will be described ingreater detail hereinafter. While the URL-encoded bar code symbol can beof any length, practical considerations will typically dictate whichencoding technique should be used in any particular application.Notably, the advantage of using the truncated bar code symbol structureis that the height of the bars and spaces is relatively short inrelation to the length of the bar code, thus allowing the URL-encodedtruncated symbol 8 to be easily printed with each Web-site listingprinted on crowded pages of printed Web-site guides and catalogues, asillustrated in FIG. 1A.

[0107] In accordance with the present invention, Web-site listings andmenus, in which URL-encoded bar code symbols may be printed, includevarious types of printed guides, directories or publications whichdigest, catalogue, organize or otherwise list WWW sites or informationresources that exist on Web-site Servers throughout the Internet.Examples of such printed Web-site publications include, for example: the“WWW Yellow Pages” (1996) published by the New Riders Publishers, Inc.;“PC NOVICE GUIDE TO THE WEB: How to find anything on the Web” (1996)published by Peed Corporation; “Cybersurfer”, published by StarlogGroup, Inc.; “Internet Underground”, published by Ziff-Davis; “InternetUser”, published by Ziff-Davis; “Internet World”, published byMecklermedia; “The Net”, published by Imagine Publishing; “Net Guide”,published by CMP Media; “Online Access”, published by Red FlashInternet; “The Web”, published by International Data Group; “Websight”,published by New Media, Inc.; “Yahoo Internet Life”, published byZiff-Davis and Yahoo; WebTV Guides; or any other printed publicationthat one may desire to use to look up an information resource (e.g.,Web-site) of interest that one would like to access and explore.

[0108] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, the programmed bar code symbolscanner 7 of the Internet Access System of the first preferredembodiment is particularly designed so that closely nested Web-sitelistings on a single page can be read without inadvertently readingundesired URL-encoded bar code symbols. This added scanning controlfeature is achieved in the bar code symbol reader of FIG. 1 by providingthe automatic laser scanning bar code symbol reader 7A with anoptically-transparent scanning plate 9A supported from reader 7A by anoptically transparent extension 9B. The scanning plate 9A has formedtherein a sighting window (i.e., aperture) 10, through which aURL-encoded bar code symbol 8 is automatically scanned and read whensuch a printed symbol (on a substrate) is aligned with the sightingaperture. In this particular embodiment, the IR-based object detectionfield 11 of bar code symbol reader 7A extends just slightly beyond thesighting window 10 so that laser scanning by laser beam 12 isautomatically initiated only when an object (e.g., Web-site guide) 13 isplaced up against the sighting window 10, as when the scanning plate isbrought in contact with URL-encoded bar code symbol 8 associated with aparticular Web-site listing, shown in FIG. 1A. The design andconstruction details associated with automatic bar code symbol reader 7Acan be found in Applicants prior U.S. application Ser. No. 08/292,237filed Aug. 17, 1994, incorporated herein by reference. As shown in FIG.1, this scanning device can be provided with a keypad 15 in a mannerknown in the art, for manually entering the characters of Urbs, asneeded or required.

[0109] As discussed above in connection with FIG. 1D(1), it may bedesirable to encode the URL of a particular information resource withintwo or more moderate-length bar code symbols, instead of within a singlelong-length bar code symbol. This will allow the use of shorter lengthbar code symbols on printed menus and lists. In such applications, theprimary (i.e., base) portion of the URL (e.g.,“http://www.metrologic.com”) identifying the location of the WWW Servercan be encoded within a first bar code symbol, whereas the auxiliary(i.e., extension) portion of the URL (e.g., “/products/MS6720.html”)indicating the location of the information resource (web pages) relativeto the identified WWW Server can be encoded with a second bar codesymbol. With this technique, access to such an Internet-basedinformation resource can be achieved in a two-step process, namely: (1)scan the first bar code symbol to access the home page of the WWW Serverlocated by “http://www.metrologic.com”; and (2) scan the second bar codesymbol to access the information resource located by“Products/MS6720/.html”. Preferably, the base (i.e., primary) andauxiliary segments of the URL would be printed below the first andsecond bar code symbols respectively, as shown in FIG. 1D(1). Thiscomposite bar code symbol structure can be used during the menucomposition process of the present invention as described in detailhereinabove.

[0110] Second Preferred Embodiment Of The Internet Access System Hereof

[0111] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the second preferred embodiment of theInternet Access System hereof is realized in the form of an interactiveweb-based television system 16. Any of the generalized Internet accessmethods described hereinabove can be used to carry out this particularembodiment of the present invention.

[0112] As shown, interactive web-based television system 16 comprises anInternet Terminal Unit 17, a Remote Control Scanning Device 18 and astandard (NTSC or PAL) color television set 19. As shown, the InternetTerminal Unit 17 is connected to the Internet by way of an ISP 4 andincludes means for supporting: (i) a GUI-based Internet browser programsuch as the Internet Navigator® from Netscape Communications or theInternet Explorer200 from Microsoft, Inc.; and (ii) the TCP/IPnetworking protocol on the Internet. In the preferred embodiment, theInternet Terminal Unit 17 can be realized using any one of a number ofcommercially available Internet Terminal devices, such as, for example:the Mediamaster 9500™ Internet Terminal from Nokia, Inc.; theNetStation™ Internet Terminal from Acorn Computer; or the “InternetDigital Appliance” from Diba.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 2, the Remote Control Scanning Device 18 of thesecond preferred embodiment can be realized by integrating a miniatureautomatic bar code symbol reading module 20 into the wireless remotecontrol device that is provided with the commercially available terminalunit that is used to practice this embodiment of the present invention.Preferably, automatic bar code symbol reading module 20 is similar tothe device described in great detail in Applicants copending applicationSer. No. 08/292,237 supra. Such laser scanning engines, as they arecalled, are commercially available from Metrologic Instruments, Inc., ofBlackwood, N.J., under the tradename ScanQuest®. The manner in whichsuch a laser scanning engine can be integrated into any one of theremote control devices of the above-identified Internet Terminals, andthus provide the Remote Control Scanning Device 18, will be describedbelow.

[0114] The Mediamaster 9500™ Internet Terminal from Nokia, Inc., theNetStation™ Internet Terminal from Acorn Computer, or the InternetDigital Appliance from Diba, are each provide with a wireless remotecontrol device which includes a programmable microcontroller (i.e.,microprocessor) operably connected to a system bus of one sort oranother. The system subcomponents that are connected to this system busstructure include, for example: program memory realized in the form ofEPROM 21; data storage memory realized in the form of RAM 22; a keypad23, data storage registers and interface circuitry; an IR-basedcommunication circuit and interface circuitry 24; and a power supply andpower distribution circuitry 25. In such commercial products, no visualdisplay device (e.g., LCD panel) is provided, as all display functionsare provided on the television screen using an on-screen display formatwell known in the art. Integration of an automatic ScanQuest® LaserScanning Module (Model No. IS4120) into the system architecture of suchwireless remote control devices can be achieved by adding additionaldata registers to the system bus, and connecting the data output port ofthe scanner to such registers in a conventional manner. Additionalcontrol logic will have to be provided by the microcontroller in toprovide scan data from the scanner to have priority over data enteredmanually into the system. All such modifications are within the ordinaryskill in the art.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 2, Remote Control Scanning Device 18 has anoptically-transparent scanning plate 9A supported by an opticallytransparent extension 9B. The scanning plate 9A has formed therein asighting window (i.e., aperture) 10, through which a URL-encoded barcode symbol 8 is automatically scanned and read when such a printedsymbol (on a substrate) is aligned with the sighting aperture. TheIR-based object detection field 11 extends just slightly beyond thesighting window 10 so that the laser scanning beam 12 is automaticallyinitiated only when an object (e.g., Web guide) 13 is placed up againstthe sighting window 10, as when the scanning plate 10 is brought incontact with URL-encoded bar code symbol 8 associated with a particularWeb-site listing, shown in FIG. 2. During operation, the Remote ControlScanning Device 18 is used to read URL-encoded bar code symbols 8printed on Web-site GuideBook 13 in order to connect to thecorresponding Web-sites thereof.

[0116] While any standard (NTSC or PAL) color television set can be usedin connection with the Internet Terminal 17 to display graphical andaudio information content associated with any particular Web-siteaccessed by the system, it is preferred that a higher-resolution (VGA orSVGA) computer monitor is used in connection therewith to display highresolution graphics.

[0117] Third Preferred Embodiment Of The Internet Access System Hereof

[0118] As shown in FIG. 3, the third preferred embodiment of theInternet Access System hereof is realized in the form of a hand-heldIntegrated Scanning Terminal 26. Any of the generalized Internet accessmethods described herein can be used to carry out this particularembodiment of the present invention. The Internet Scanner Terminal 26 isshown connected to an ISP 4 by way of a radio-base station 27 andwireless link 5. The hand-held Internet Scanning Terminal 26 has anintegrated GUI-based web browser program, display panel 28, touch-screentype keypad 29, and programmed bar code symbol scanner 20. The functionof bar code symbol scanner 20 is to read a bar code symbol 8 that isencoded with the URL of a Web-site to be accessed by the Internet AccessSystem, and produce symbol character data representative thereof.

[0119] In the illustrative embodiment, the Internet Scanner Terminal 26is realized as a transportable computer, such as the Newton® Model 130Messagepad 30 from Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. This deviceis provided with NetHopper™ brand Internet Access Software from whichsupports the TCP/IP networking protocol within the Newton MessagePadoperating system. The Newton Messagepad is also equipped with a MotorolaPCMICA-based modem card 31 having a RF transceiver for establishing awireless digital communication link with either (i) a cellular basestation, or (ii) one or more satellite-base stations (27) connected tothe Internet by way of an ISP 4 in a manner well known in the globalinformation networking art. While it is understood that, in someinstances, it may be desired to connect a pen or wand device to theserial port of the Newton MessagePad to provide bar code symbol readingcapabilities thereto, it is generally preferred that automatic laserscanning engine 20 (e.g., Metrologic ScanQuest® Laser Scanning ModuleModel No. IS4120), be interfaced with the serial communications port ofthe Newton MessagePad so as to realize the Internet Access System of thethird preferred embodiment hereof.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 3, the entire Newton MessagePad, ScanQuest®Laser Scanning Module 20 and auxiliary battery supply (not shown) arecompletely housed within a rubberized shock-proof housing 32, in orderto provide a hand-supportable unitary device. The rubberized housing isprovided with an scanning aperture 10 realized within an opticallytransparent scanning plate 9B supported by extension 9A. The function ofthe scanning aperture 10 is to allow the projected laser beam 12 tosweep across a URL-encoded bar code symbol 8 located within the sightingwindow 10 of optically-transparent scanning plate 9B, once the object(e.g., Web-site guide) 13 is detected by the object detection field 11.

[0121] In each of the three particular embodiments of the InternetAccess System described above, the bar code symbol scanner can bereplaced by a programmed optical character reader realized using, forexample, the automatic holographic laser scanning technology disclosedin great detail in Applicant's copending application Ser. No. 08/573,949filed Dec. 18, 1995, incorporated herein by reference. The function ofthe programmed optical character reader is to allow the Internet AccessTerminal to access any desired Internet-based information resource byoptically scanning the alphanumeric character string comprising the URLthereof, and provide the same as output to the “Goto” Window of theGUI-based Internet browser program thereof. In such alternativeembodiments, the function of the optical character reader (i.e.,character reading module) is to read the ASCII characters comprising theURL (and other encoded information) 14 printed on an object or articlesuch as a Web-site guide or like publication, avoiding the need formanual key entry operations.

[0122] Subsystem For Composing and Printing URL-Encoded Bar Code Listsand Menus

[0123] Having described various illustrative embodiments of the InternetAccess System of the present invention, it is appropriate at thisjuncture to describe a system and method for composing, transmitting andprinting lists (e.g., menus) of URL-encoded bar code symbols in variousways according to the principles of the present invention.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 4, the Web-linked client computer workstation 6of FIG. 1 has a graphical user interface (GUI) and an Internet browser(or communicator) program that has an additional plug-in type module(i.e., subprogram) composing, transmitting and printing lists and menusof URL-encoded bar code symbols and information elements associatedtherewith (hereinafter the “Composition/Printing Module”).Composition/Printing Module can be realized as a plug-in module to theNetscape Navigator browser program, the Microsoft Explorer browserprogram, or other Internet communication program presently available ordeveloped in the years ahead, using programming techniques and languages(e.g., Java) known in the art. The purpose of this Module is tocooperate with the Internet browser program and support the user duringthe composition and editing of lists (i.e., menus) of URL-encoded barcode symbols and information fields related thereto in accordance withthe principles of the present invention, and then enable such lists andmenus to be printed locally using printer 35 shown in FIG. 1, ortransmitted to a remotely located system for printing. As such, theModule is provided with an editing mode to edit information entered intoinformation fields associated with any particular bar code list or menuof the present invention. Composition and printing functionalities andenabling programming code embodied within the Module or browser programof the present invention can be found in Bar Code Pro® brand Bar CodeSymbol Composing and Printing software sold by SYNEX, of Brooklyn, N.Y.;and Zooworks Research Personal (1.0) web-indexing software from HitachiComputer Products (America) Inc, of Santa Clara, Calif.(URL:http://hitachisoft.com/research). Optionally, the Module and/orbrowser program can also embody the functionalities provided by FilePro®bar code database software, also available from SYNEX.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 4, the Composition/Printing Module has anassociated “display window” 36 which can be opened in a conventionalmanner to allow the user to easily compile bar code symbol menus duringoperation of an Internet browser program. In the illustrative embodimentshown in FIG. 4, the bar code menu display window 36 is shown tocomprise information display fields 36A, 36D, 36N associated with threeexemplary information resources on the WWW that have been listed withina bar code menu in composition. As shown, this listing of informationdisplay fields graphically present on display monitor 6A: a set ofhuman-readable URBS corresponding to a set or course of informationserving Web-sites schematically represented in FIG. 5, 36A1, 36B1, 36N1;a set of titles assigned to the Urbs (which may be directed to the ownerof the site, the information content contained therein, etc.) 36A2,36B2, 36N2; a set of brief descriptions of content (DOC) served at theWeb-sites indicated by reference numerals 36A3, 36B3, 36N3; and date ordates the set of Web-sites were last visited by the composer, indicatedby reference numerals 36A4, 36B4, 36N4.

[0126] In FIG. 6A, an information storage structure 37 is shown forstoring the information elements associated with a given URL informationblock in a bar code menu composed using the Composing/Printing Moduleduring on-line Internet surfing sessions or while off-line. As shown,each information storage structure 37 comprises the followinginformation fields for a given information resource: URL Field 37A forstoring information descriptive of the URL of Web-site location (e.g.,information resource) associated therewith; URL-Encoded Bar Code field37B for storing information descriptive of the URL-Encoded bar codeassociated with the URL of the information resource; Title Field 37C forstoring information descriptive of the title assigned to thecorresponding information resource; Content Description Field 37D forstoring information descriptive of the content of the informationresource; and Data Field 37E for storing information descriptive of thedate the composer or his agent last visited the information resourceprior to composition of the bar code symbol menu.

[0127] In FIG. 6B, an exemplary section of a printed URL-encoded menu isshown. As shown, each printed block of information 38 associated with aparticular Web-site (or Internet information resource) has the followinginformation display fields: an information display field for graphicallydisplaying the corresponding URL, indicated by reference numeral 38A; aninformation display field for the URL-encoded bar code symbol, indicatedby reference numeral 38B; an information display field for graphicallydisplaying the Title assigned to Web-site location referenced by thecorresponding URL, indicated by reference numeral 38C; and aninformation display field for graphically displaying the description ofthe information content served at the Web-site location referenced bythe corresponding URL, indicated by reference numeral 38D; and aninformation display field for graphically displaying the date on whichthe composer or his agent list visited the information resource,indicated by reference numeral 38E. In general, a number of suchinformation display blocks can be printed on a single sheet of printmedia (e.g., paper, plastic, etc.) 39. The particular display layout foreach information block will depend on the application at hand andtypically will vary from embodiment to embodiment of the presentinvention. For example, in some embodiments, the printed informationdisplay blocks will be arranged in a single column down each printedsheet. In other embodiments, the printed information display blocks willbe arranged in a two or more rows or columns. In yet other embodiments,the layout of such information display blocks may be of random orquasi-random structure.

[0128]FIGS. 7A and 7B set forth a high-level flow chart describing thesteps carried out during composition, transmission and printing ofURL-encoded bar codes according to the method of the present invention.In the illustrative embodiment, this method is carried out while using aGUI-based Internet browser program on-line, with the above-describedComposition/Printing Plug-In Module installed, enabling the user tocompose, transmit and print bar code menus of the type schematicallyillustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B. It is understood, however that themethod can also be carried out while the Internet browser program is“off-line”. Alternatively, the functionalities of theComposition/Printing Module (to be described in greater detail below)can be realized in a separate program designed to run “in thebackground” of the operating system (OS) while the Internet browserprogram is running, or run by itself when the Internet browser programis not running.

[0129] As indicated in Block A of FIG. 7A, the method involves firstdetermining completely or partially, a set or information resources onthe Internet (e.g., WWW or FTP Servers) that the composer wishes he oranother to visit in the immediate or future. Typically, although notalways, the Internet browser program with the installedComposition/Printing Module hereof will be up and running during thecomposition process, generally represented at Blocks A through D in FIG.7A. This list or ordered set of information sources identified by thecomposer may be thematically related by a particular subject or topicwhich the composer may have in mind before, during or after thecomposition process. The list may be, however, simply a collection ofinformation resources on the WWW, which, for example, the composer wouldlike to catalog in the form of a bar code menu so that others may easilyvisit the cataloged collection of Web-sites by simply readingURL-encoded bar code symbols from a printed menu, as describedhereinabove. In the field of education, for example, such bar code menuscould be composed by teachers or professors and distributed to theirstudents so that they can visit the catalogued Web-sites either insideor outside the classroom or lecture hall. Writers and/or editors ofbooks, journals and magazines could print URL-encoded bar code symbolsin the back of their publications (corresponding to references cited intheir published publications). Brochures and manuals for products and/orservices could contain lists of URL-encoded bar code symbols that pointto information resources on the Internet, which contain informationrelating to such products and/or services. Printed (i.e., hard-copy)Web-site magazines, catalogues, directories and the like can beformatted with URL-encoded bar code symbols of the present invention, asillustrated in FIG. 1A and described above, to enable Internet accessthereto by scanning such encoded bar code symbols.

[0130] As indicated at Block B in FIG. 7A, the composer employs theInternet browser program of the present invention to record the URLs forthe set of information resources on the WWW. The Urbs can be enteredinto their appropriate information recording fields, consecutively at aparticular point in time, or over a period of time when the composer issurfing the WWW and determining which WWW information resources shouldbe catalogued within the menu under composition.

[0131] As indicated at Block C, the composer records a number ofinformation items in an information storage file as shown in FIG. 6A anddisplayed with the Internet browser screen 40 on the computer terminalshown in FIG. 4. For each WWW information resource, the composer isencouraged to enter the following information items: the URL for the WWWinformation resource; the Title assigned to the WWW information resourceby the composer; and the description of the information content at theWWW information resource. Collectively, these related items ofinformation are stored within the information storage structure of thefile maintained by the CTP Module and form an information block.

[0132] As indicated at Block D in FIG. 7A, after each information blockis recorded for a particular WWW information resource, theComposition/Printing Module is used to automatically generate aURL-encoded bar code symbol information structure therefor and recordthis information in its respective information field within theinformation storage structure represented in FIG. 6. Once a list of URLshas been captured, indexed and recorded within the information storagestructure underlying any particular bar code menu, the composer may thendecide during the Editing Mode of the plug-in Module, exactly how theWeb-site information blocks, shown in FIGS. 6B, should be ordered forpresentation to his or her audience upon printing.

[0133] As indicated in FIG. E of FIG. 7B, a composed bar code symbolmenu as shown in FIG. 6B is printed out on a sheet of paper usingconventional Postscript® printing equipment 35, illustrated in FIG. 1,for example. At this stage of the process, the following informationitems are printed out for each WWW information resource: the URL for theWWW information resource; the URL-encoded bar code symbol; the titleassigned to the WWW information resource by the composer; thedescription of the WWW information resource; and the date on which thecomposer or his agent last visited the information resource. Expectedly,the display format for any printed information file according to thepresent invention will vary from embodiment to embodiment. Preferably,the Composition/Printing Module installed within the Internet browserprogram hereof will be provided with a number of different displayformats, from which the composer can easily choose to satisfy therequirements of the project and application at hand.

[0134] As indicated at Block F, the composer may optionally choose totransport by electronic data transmission or facsimile transmission, anycomposed bar code symbol menu according to the present invention. Insuch instances, the compiled information storage file (as shown in FIG.6A) representing the composed menu can be electronically transmitted toa remote site, by e-mail, facsimile transmission, or other protocolavailable over the Internet, and thereafter printed out usingappropriate print-driver software. This way, the WWW informationresources listed in the compiled information structure can be easilyvisited by reading the corresponding URL-encoded bar code symbols intothe Internet browser program using a bar code scanner. Alternatively,the bar code menu can be printed out locally and then transmitted to aremote location by way of facsimile transmission for print out andsubsequent use. When using this latter technique, however, carefulconsideration should be accorded to the resolution of the printed barcodes, as their resolution may be significantly reduced due to scanningfacsimile transmission, and printing required by this latter technique.In such instances, it may be desirable to scale-up the bar codes duringmenu composition in order to compensate for expected resolution lossesdownstream.

[0135] The bar code menu composition/printing process of the presentinvention has been described above in connection with a commerciallyavailable GUI-based Internet Browser program that has been provided witha plug-in module that enables the menu composition, transmission andprinting processes of the present invention. It is understood, however,that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, an independentprogram may be written to carry out the interactive menucomposition/transmission/printing process illustrated in FIGS. 7A and7B. In such instances, the composition program could be designed to runin the background of the operating system while the composer is usingthe Internet browser program to explore Cyberspace and determine whichWeb-sites (e.g., HTML documents) should be listed in the bar code menuin composition. Once a list of URLs has been captured and recordedwithin the information storage structure underlying any particular barcode menu, the composer may latter, during the editing mode of theprogram, decide exactly how the Web-site information blocks, shown inFIG. 6A, should be ordered for presentation to his or her audience uponprinting.

[0136] Having described the above illustrative embodiments of thepresent invention, several modifications and applications thereofreadily come to mind.

[0137] Instead of using a laser scanning module to construct theInternet Access Terminals of the present invention, as shown in Figs.FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, one may use CCD-type bar code scanning engines (ormodules) employing LEDs to illuminate bar code symbols in the scanfield, and CCD-type linear or array devices for capturing images thereoffor subsequent decode processing. Examples of CCD scanning modules thatcan be used to construct CCD-based Internet Access Terminals accordingto the present invention can be found in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.:5,550,366; 5,354,977; 5,291,009; 5,484,994; 5,349,172; and 5,532,467;each being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0138] As mentioned above, the present invention contemplates usingencoding URL (or DN/PN) information within 2-D bar code symbols asschematically illustrated in FIG. 1C(1). In such instances, one wouldprovide a 2-D bar code symbol reading engine (or device) within eachInternet Access System of the present invention so that to the URLinformation encoded within 2-D bar code symbols can be optically scannedand decoded using the appropriate 2-D bar code decoding algorithm.Examples of 2-D (laser scanning) bar code symbol reading devices thatcan be used to construct “2-D type” Internet Access Systems according tothe principles of the present invention are disclosed in the followingU.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,594,232; 5,523,552; 5,504,316; 5,414,250; 5,373,148;5,319,181; each being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.In other embodiments of the present invention, one may employ scanningmodules capable of reading both 1-D and 2-D type bar code symbols.

[0139] In order to indicate that a particular printed publication orobject bears a URL-encoded bar code symbol according to the presentinvention, and not a conventional bar code symbol (e.g., UPC Symbol), itmay be advantageous to print the entire or primary portion of theencoded URL (e.g., http://www.metrologic.com) about the perimeters ofthe URL-encoded bar code symbol, in a similar way that UPC numbers areprinted below UPC-type bar code symbols. This printing convention, onceadopted, will help consumers determine which bar code symbols provide“Internet Access”, in contrast with other types of bar code symbols.

[0140] In instances where the character string length of the Urbsbecomes long, particularly in connection with information resources thatare stored in very-large Web-based database management systems (DBMS),it may be desirable to pre-encode the Urbs (to shorten their characterstring length) prior to encoding the URL within the bar code symbologybeing employed.

[0141] In the illustrative embodiments of the present inventiondisclosure, the exemplary information resources have been indicated asbeing stored within WWW-based information servers (i.e., Web Servers),and thus, the character substring “http://www.” has been included withthe URL for each such information resource in accordance with thesyntactical requirements of URL specification and HTTP. It isunderstood, however, that URL-encoded bar code symbols according to thepresent invention may also refer (i.e., point) to information resourcesstored on any type of Internet information server (e.g., a FTPinformation server) accessible through an Internet browser orcommunication program of an Internet Access System of the presentinvention.

[0142] The bar code-driven Internet Access System of the presentinvention can be applied in numerous ways to make life easier at home,in the office, and at school. For example, the present invention can beused to construct a Web-based Package Routing, Tracking and DeliverySystem shown in FIGS. 8 through 16 of the drawings.

[0143] Overview Of The Web-Based Package Routing, Tracking and Delivery(RTD) System Hereof

[0144] As shown in FIG. 8, the web-based package routing, tracking anddelivery (RTD) system of illustrative embodiment generally indicated byreference number 50 comprises a plurality of system components, namely:globally-based digital telecommunications network (such as the Internet)1 providing an infrastructure described hereinabove including ISPs,NSPs, routers, telecommunication lines and channels and the like; one ormore data-synchronized Package Routing, Tracking, and Delivery (RTD)Internet Servers 51 connected to the Internet by way of the Internetinfrastructure; one or more Package Log-In/Shipping (Computer-Based)Subsystems 52, 52 and 52 (generically indicated as 52), located atdifferent shipping locations throughout the world, and operablyconnected to the Internet by way of the Internet infrastructure; aplurality of Package Routing (Computer) Subsystems 53, 53, 53(generically indicated as 53) located at remote hub stations of the RTDsystem and connected to the RTD Internet Servers by way of the Internetinfrastructure; and a plurality of Portable Package Delivery (PPD)Computer-Based Subsystems (e.g., integrated scanning terminals) 54, 54,54 (generically indicated as 54) in wireless digital communication withthe RTD Internet Servers by way of the Internet infrastructure. Each ofthese subsystems will be described in greater detail below. Thereafter,the operation of the RTD system of the present invention will bedescribed.

[0145] The Package Log-In/Shipping Computer Subsystem

[0146] As shown in FIG. 9, each Package Log-In/Shipping Subsystem 52 isrealized as either a desktop or portable Internet Access Terminal of thepresent invention shown in FIGS. 1, 2, or 3 and described above. Thefunction of the Package Log-In/Shipping Subsystem 52 is to log-in eachpackage with a relational database management system (RDBMS) maintainedwithin or behind the RTD Internet Server 51 of the system. As will bedescribed in greater detail hereinafter, this log-in procedure involves:(1) accessing a RTD Internet Server 51 by reading a particularpredesignated URL-encoded bar code symbol specifying its address on theInternet; (2) entering package-related information into the system byway of the Internet; (3) creating and printing a custom bar code symbollabel encoded with the URL (and Zip-Code) and an address label bearingthe name and address of the entity to whom the package is to bedelivered; and (4) applying the bar code label and address to thepackage prior to shipping for carrying out routing, tracking anddelivery functions.

[0147] The RTD Internet Server Subsystem

[0148] As shown in FIG. 11, each data-synchronized RTD Internet Server51 of the illustrative is realized by, for example, a PowerMac 8550/200Internet Server from Apple Computer, Inc., an Origin 200 Server fromSilicon Graphics, Inc., or any other Internet server running: (1) HTTPserver software (e.g., Netscape Enterprise Server software from NetscapeCommunications, Inc., or WebStar® Server software from StarNine, Inc.);(2) Common Gateway Interface (CGI) software (e.g., Tango from EverywareDevelopment Corp.); (3) relational database management system (RDBMS)software (e.g., 4D Version 6.0 from ACI US, Inc.); and (4) websitedevelopment software (e.g., PageMill from Abode, Inc.) for websitedesign and creation. In a conventional manner, each Internet RTD Serveris assigned a unique static IP address and a common domain name on theInternets Domain Name System.

[0149] The RDBMS software (e.g., 4D Version 6.0 from ACI US, Inc.) isused to construct a RDBMS 55 within or at the back-end of each InternetRTD Server 51. As shown in FIG. 11B, the RDBMS 51 is used to maintain ahypermedia-type relational database containing package shipping,tracking and delivery related information. As shown in FIG. 11B, eachdatabase record (i.e., RTD information record) maintained for eachpackage logged-into the system comprises a number of information fields,namely: a URL Field 55A, for storing the URL assigned to each package,at which a static information storage location resides on a web-page onthe RTD Internet Server 51; a Package Identification Field 55B forstoring a unique number assigned to each package being routed, trackedand delivered within the RTD system hereof; a Shipper IdentificationNumber Field 55C for storing an identifying number assigned to eachshipper authorized to ship packages within the RTD system; a DestinationInformation Field 55D for storing information describing the (initially,past and currently specified) destination(s) of the package; a Zip CodeInformation Field 55E for storing Zip Code information on the packagedestination; a Package Content Information Field 55F for storinginformation regarding the contents of the package; a DeliveryInstructions Field 55G for storing delivery instructions (e.g.,including graphical maps, audio-based delivery instructions, etc.) foruse in delivering the package to its destination; a Date of Log-In Field55H for storing the date the package is logged-in with the system; aDate of Shipping Field 55I for storing the date the package was shipped(or is expected to be shipped) within the system; a Date of DeliveryField 55J for storing the date the package was delivered (or is expectedto be delivered) to its destination; a Package “Goto” Field 55K forstoring information on the location of the package within the RTDsystem; a Time/Date of “Goto” Field 55L for storing information on thetime and date of the tracked location of the package within the RTDsystem; a Shipping Route Field 55M for storing information specifyingthe planned route of travel assigned to end logged-in package; and OtherInformation Fields 55N, 55O and 55P for storing various items ofinformation relating to the package description, shipping, tracking anddelivery.

[0150] In order that each subsystem 52, 53 and 54 can connect with RTDServer 51 and access the RTD information record associated with anypackage logged-in with the system, the following measures are taken: (1)each logged-in package 56 is labelled with a URL-encoded bar code symbol57 having an information field structure shown in FIG. 12, as well as aconventional name/address label; and (2) the URL encoded within the barcode symbol is used to specify the location of an information storagefield 58 represented on a statically-defined HTML-encoded informationfield 59 on a web-page stored on the RTD Information Server 51 andserved to client subsystems by HTTP Server 60. The size of eachWeb-based information storage field 58 is sufficient to store ASCIIinformation describing the unique product identification number assignedto the corresponding product being routed and tracked within the system.The RTD information record in the RDBMS 55 associated with anyparticular package is linked to the URL by the product identificationnumber stored at the information field specified by the URL. The CGI 61realized aboard RTD Server 51 (1) translates the product identificationnumber (stored on Web-page 59 at URL 58) into an SQL-type request forthe information elements associated with the corresponding RTDinformation record stored in the RDBMS 55, and (2) converts suchretrieved information elements into an HTML-encoded web-pageconveniently formatted for display on the display screen of therequesting client system 52, 53 and/or 54. A Web-page compositionprogram, such as Adobe® PageMill, BBEdit® , or any other HTML editingprogram, can be used to create HTLM-encoded pages 59 for representingstatically-defined information storage locations 58 specified by Urbsthat are ultimately assigned to package identification numbers usedwithin the RTD system. Such Web-paged based information structures canbe accessed: (1) using the Package Log-In/Shipping Computer 52 duringand after package log-in, (2) using the PPD Computer 54 during packagedelivery, and/or (3) using any Internet browser program authorizedaccessed to information fields within the RDBMS of the RTD InternetServer 51.

[0151] The Package Routing Subsystem

[0152] As shown in FIG. 13, each hub within the RTD system willtypically have a number of Package Routing Subsystems 53 located along ahigh-speed conveyor belt subsystem. The function of each Package RoutingSubsystem is to sort and route packages to collection stations withinthe hub, from which they are then transported to the next location alonga route terminating at the final destination specified for the package.In the US Postal System, and United Parcel Service (UPS) system, thepackage destination is specified by the ZIP CODE of the destinationaddress. In the illustrative embodiment, each Package Routing Subsystem53 comprises a number of subcomponents, namely: a Metrologic Holotrak™laser-scanning holographic bar code symbol reader 53A, as taught incopending application Ser. No. 08/573,949 filed Dec. 18, 1995,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; an Internet AccessTerminal as disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described in detail above,connected to an ISP within the infrastructure of the Internet, andtransmitting package tracking information (e.g., Package RoutingSubsystem identification number, and time and date of routing operation,etc.) to the Web-page based information storage location specified bythe packages assigned URL; package routing machinery 53B for routingpackages along a conveyor pathway that passes through the RoutingSubsystem, and terminates within at a collection station, from which thepackage will be shipped along a route that eventually terminates at thepackages destination address; and a subsystem controller 53C forcontrolling the operation of the package routing machinery 53B inresponse to ZIP CODE information produced from the bar code symbolreader 53A during each package scanning operation.

[0153] The Portable Package Delivery (PPD) Subsystem

[0154] As illustrated in FIG. 15, each PPD subsystem 54 is preferablyrealized as a transportable device of the type shown in FIG. 13 anddescribed in detail above. The function of each PPD subsystem 54 is toprovide wireless access to the RDBMS of the RTD Internet Server 51during package delivery operations. Using portable Internet AccessTerminal 54, the delivery person can automatically connect with the RTDInternet Server Subsystem 51 and access the corresponding RTDinformation file maintained (within the RDBMS thereof) on any particularpackage within the system by simply reading the URL-encoded bar codesymbol. Such accessible information can include multimedia-typeinformation pertaining to: package content specifications; packageshipping information, package delivery instructions (e.g., date, timeand location of delivery; shipping and handling terms; audio and/oraudio visual messages associated with a particular shipped package; etc.By virtue of the fact that RTD information records are linked with Urbswithin the RTD Server Subsystem, any information element within a RTDinformation record can be dynamically changed, updated or deleted whileits corresponding package or parcel is in transit through the RTDsystem. Consequently, shipping instructions (e.g., shipping address,shipping time and date, and recipient) can be dynamically changed afterthe package has been shipped and is in route to its destination. Suchflexibility is prohibited when using preprinted 2-D bar code symbolsinherently containing information that is statically-encoded at the timeof package log-in/shipment.

[0155] Operation of The Web-Based Package RTD System

[0156] As indicated at Block A of FIG. 12, the package log-on/shippingprocedure begins by assigning a package identification number (PIN) tothe package to be logged-into the RTD system of the present invention.This procedure involves the use of the Package Log-In/Shipping ComputerSubsystem 52 illustrated in FIG. 9 and the RTD Internet Server Subsystem51 shown in FIG. 11. The request for a new package identification numberis transmitted from the Package Log-In/Shipping Computer 52 to the RTDInternet Server 51 using electronic forms sent by way of HTTP well knownin the Internet art. Then at Block B, the Package Log-in/ShippingComputer 52 is used to send the identified destination ZIP CODE for thepackage to the RTD Server 51. At Block C, the RTD Server assigns thepackage (and thus the package identification number) a uniqueHTML-encoded information storage location on a web-page of the RTDInternet Server and then links the URL of this information storagelocation with the package identification number. Then at Block D, thePackage Log-In/Shipping Computer 52 encodes the URL and the ZIP CODE(associated with the package identification number) within a bar codesymbol information structure of either 1-D or 2-D bar code symbology,and then prints out the bar code symbol on a label. Then at Block E, theprinted bar code label is applied to the package, and thereafter thePackage Log-In/Shipping Computer 52 transmits a confirmation request tothe RTD Internet Server 51 confirming entry of the packageidentification number, Zip Code and URL assigned thereto into the RDBMSof the System. As indicated at Block F, upon receiving confirmation fromthe RTD Internet Server 51 that such information elements are recordedin the RDBMS, the labelled package is released for shipment to itsdestination by way of a shipping route available within the RTD system.The above procedure is repeated for each and every package that is to beshipped using the system.

[0157] As each package is transported through the RTD system, it ismoved through one or more Package Routing Subsystems, as shown in FIG.13. As each package is scanned by the bar code symbol reader 53A at aPackage Routing Subsystem, a package routing/tracking procedure isautomatically carried out. This procedure is outline in the flow chartof FIG. 14 described below.

[0158] As indicated at Block A of FIG. 14, the bar code scanner at thePackage Routing Subsystem reads the URL/ZIP-CODE encoded bar code symbolon the package and obtains the information representative of the URL andthe Zip Code. Then, at Block B, the Package Routing Subsystem uses thelocally-recovered Zip Code to route the package at the Package RoutingSubsystem at the hub station of the system. Then at Block C, the RoutingSubsystem uses the obtained URL to access the RTD Internet Server by wayof HTTP and update the location of the scanned package within the RDBMSof the system. Each time the package is scanned at a different PackageRouting Subsystem, or other Internet Access Terminal located within theRTD system, the current location of the scanned package within theSystem is updated, by ensuring that each HTTP request sent to the RTDInternet Server (by the Package Routing Subsystem) includes informationidentifying the requesting Package Routing Subsystem.

[0159] When the package finally arrives at the hub nearest itsdestination, it typically is loaded upon a truck or like vehicle fordelivery. Then it is delivered to its destination according to thedelivery procedure described generally in the flow chart of FIG. 18 anddescribed below.

[0160] As indicated at Block A of FIG. 16, the delivery person uses thePortable Delivery Computer 54 hereof to read the URL/ZIP-CODE encodedlabel on the package in order to recover the URL encoded therein. ThePortable Delivery Computer can be mounted within the delivery vehicle orheld in the hand of the delivery person. As indicated at Block B, thePortable Delivery Computer automatically connects to the RTD InternetServer 51 by way of HTTP using the locally recovered URL encoded in thescanned bar code symbol. As indicated at Block C, the informationelements shown in FIG. 11B, that are associated with the RDBMSinformation record linked to the URL, are automatically displayed on thedisplay screen of the Package Delivery Computer 53. Such information,particularly the package delivery instructions, are then used to deliverthe package to its destination. Such information can be of a multimedianature, including audio instructions and graphical images of deliverymaps to facilitate the delivery process.

[0161] In the illustrative embodiment of the RTD system described above,packages being shipped within the system have been labelled with barcode symbols that have been encoded with both URL and ZIP-CODEinformation. The reason that ZIP CODE information is encoded in the barcode symbol (along with the URL) is that the ZIP CODE can be locallyrecovered very quickly at a Package Routing Subsystem 53 and used toroute packages moving along the conveyor belt system at high speeds.Alternatively, however, the locally recovered URL can be used to connectto the RTD Internet Server 51, access its RDBMS, and acquire the ZIPCODE of any particular package that has been scanned by the PackageRouting Subsystem. However, as the time required to access suchinformation from the RTD Internet Server 51 typically will be greaterthan the residency time of the package moving through the PackageRouting Subsystem, it will be desirable in many instances to use alocally recovered ZIP CODE to carry out package routing operationsdescribed hereinabove.

[0162] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the URLand the ZIP-CODE can be encoded in separate bar code symbol informationstructures, as indicated in FIG. 10B. The bar code symbols of thiscomposite information structure can be placed side by side, stackedabove and below one another, or randomly on the surface(s) of thepackage.

[0163] In either of the illustrative embodiments of the RTD systemdescribed, an improved method of globally routing, tracking anddelivering packages, parcels and objects alike is provided. At the sametime, this system avoids the shortcomings and drawbacks associated withthe use of statically-encoded 2-D bar code symbols and prior artintegrated scanning terminals for reading the same. Unlike 2-D bar codesymbols, the RTD system of the present invention can be used to providemulti-media instructions to delivery personnel to improve packagedelivery operations world-wide. Also, audio-visual messages, linked to aparticular package, can be stored on the RTD Internet Server 51 by thesender of the package and delivered to the package Recipient at the timeof delivery, to provide a “singing or voice telegram” type message alongwith the package. The point of delivery message can also provide imagesand short video clips for visual display to enhance the package deliveryprocess in ways unattainable using prior art delivery techniques.Optionally, such multi-media messages can be downloaded from thePortable Package Delivery Subsystem 54 onto an information storagedevice (e.g., floppy disc, ZIP™ 100 Megabyte storage device from Iomega,Inc., etc.) and delivered with an accompanying parcel at the point ofdelivery.

[0164] The RTD System of the present invention can be modified toprovide a web-based Document Tracking and Delivery System for use withinvarious types of organizations. In such an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention, a Document Log-In Computer Subsystem, similar to theSubsystem of FIG. 9, would be used to log-in documents with the System.There would be no need for a Package Routing Subsystem, as employed inthe system of FIG. 8, nor the use of URL/ZIP-CODE encoded bar codesymbols. Rather, URL-encoded bar code symbols of the type shown in FIGS.1C(1), 1C(2), 1D(1) or 1D(2) would be placed on documents being trackedwithin the system. Also, a web-based Document Tracking and DeliveryServer, similar to the RTD Server of FIG. 11, would be used to storedocument tracking and delivery information, as well as information(including e-mail messages sent to others within the organization)pertaining to the document as it is received by others within thesystem. An advantage of such a system would be that hard-copy documentscan be circulated within an organization, and those wishing to commenton them can quickly access the Document Tracking/Delivery Server byreading the printer URL-encoded bar code symbol on it, in order toappend messages and notes to the database records associated with thedocument, and allow others along the review chain to follow all that hasoccurred. Documents to be tracked within the system can be physicalspecimens, drawings, 3-D articles, letters, memos, photographs and thelike.

[0165] In other embodiments of the present invention, URL-encoded barcode symbols can be printed on diverse types of objects, articles orproducts in order to enable users to access information resources on theInternet by scanning such URL-encoded bar code symbols. using theprogrammed bar code symbol readers of the present invention.

[0166] For example, URL-encoded bar code symbols can be applied tobusiness cards in order to facilitate accessing predetermined orprespecified information resource on the Internet pertaining to company,a particular division, or marketing group therein, and/or the personrepresented by the Applet-bearing business card. By simply scanning theURL-encoded bar code symbol, the customer or potential businessassociate is automatically linked to information resources placed on theInternet that are useful or valuable to the customer of concern.

[0167] URL-encoded bar code symbols can be applied to a credit card orwallet-sized cards to enable the automatically launching of aJava-enabled program (from an Internet information server) to beexecuted on a thin-client (Internet access) system which received asinput the URL retrieved from a scanned bar code symbol. By virtue of thepresent invention, a kiosk with a bar code or magnet stripe reader and aURL-enabled browser, can be transformed into a universal transactionmachine (UTM). Consequently, the need to construct specializedtransaction machines can be avoided using this aspect to the presentinvention.

[0168] Internet Information Access and Display System UsingApplet-Encoded Bar Code Symbols

[0169] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, Java™Applets (e.g., Java-programs) can be encoded within the structure of barcode symbols that are applied to various types of objects, with respectto which information located on the Internet is desired or required.Details pertaining to the Java programming language and the structureand function of Applets can be found at the URL: http://www.java.sun.com(as of May 29, 1997), incorporated herein by reference. While aJava-Applet of a sufficiently restricted character length may be encodedwithin the structure of a 1-D bar code symbol, it will be preferred toencode Java-Applets into two dimensional bar code symbols 8′, as shownin FIG. 17.

[0170] To embody a Java™ Applet within a 2-D bar code symbol, oneencodes the corresponding Applet Tag (e.g., expressed in the JavaScriptlanguage) into the structure of the 2-D bar code symbol. The 2-D barcode symbol must have a symbology which provides for the expression ofthe complete ASCII character set. The syntactical structure of anexemplary Applet Tag (i.e., <APPLET . . . </APPLET>) is set forth belowfor illustrative purposes: <APPLET CODEBASE = codebaseURL ARCHIVE =archiveList CODE = appleFile . . .or. . OBJECT = serializedApplet ALT =alternateText NAME = appleInstanceName > <PARAM NAME = appleAttribute1VALUE = value> <PARAM NAME = appleAttribute2 VALUE = value> . . .alternateHTML </APPLET>

[0171] CODE, CODEBASE, and so on are attributes of the Applet Tag, andas such provide the browser program information about the Applet. Theattributes of this exemplary Applet Tag are described below.

[0172] The attribute CODEBASE=codebaseURL specifies the base URL of theApplet specifying the location of the directory or folder (e.g., on aremote Internet Server or within the Internet terminal) that contain theApplet's compiled code.

[0173] The attribute ARCHIVE=archiveList describes one or more archivescontaining classes and other resources that will be “preloaded” withinthe browser program. The classes are loaded using an instance of anAppletClassLoader with the given CODEBASE. Multiple APPLET Tags with thesame CODEBASE share the same instance of a ClassLoader. This is used bysome client code to implement inter-applet communication. FutureJava-development Kits (JDKs) may provide other mechanisms forinter-applet communication.

[0174] The attribute CODE=appletFile provides the name of the file thatcontains the Applet's compiled Applet subclass. This file is relative tothe base URL of the Applet, specified by CODEBASE. It cannot beabsolute. Either CODE or OBJECT must be present in the Applet Tag.

[0175] The attribute OBJECT=serializedApplet provides the name of thefile that contains a serialized representation of an Applet.

[0176] The attribute ALT=alternateText specifies any text that should bedisplayed if the browser program understands the APPLET Tag but cannotrun Java Applets.

[0177] The attribute NAME=appleInstanceName specifies the name for theApplet instance which makes it possible for Applets encoded in the samebar code to find (and communicate with) each other.

[0178] The Applet also includes a tag comprising <PARAM NAME=appletAttribute1 VALUE=value> and <PARAM NAME=appletAttribute2VALUE=value> which provides the way in which Applet-specific attributesare specified.

[0179] When embodying a Java-Applet within a 2-D bar code symbol, thesyntactical structure thereof, expressed in ASCII format, is encodedwithin the structure of the bar code. The compiled code associated withthe encoded Applet is stored in an Internet Information server in amanner well known in the art. The details of Applet syntax andformulation are well known in the Internet communication art and thusshall not be expounded here to avoid obfuscation of the presentinvention. Preferably, the fourth Internet Access System and methodillustrated is FIG. 1B(4) is used to realize Java-enabled client systemscapable of reading Java-Applet bar code symbols of the presentinvention. In such embodiments, the Internet terminal 3B′ would bemodified to include a Java-enabled browser program (e.g., HOTJAVA™Browser) which has a plug-in module that enables the browser program toexecute Java-applet recovered from the bar code scanner 3A andtransmitted to the Internet Terminal 3B′ for execution. In the Systemshown in FIG. 17, optically-transparent scanning plate 9A and 9BExtension have been removed to facilitate the scanning of 2-D codesymbols.

[0180] When the Java-enabled browser receives an Applet Tag recoveredfrom a read bar code symbol, the Applet is generally executed in thefollowing manner. First, the compiled Applet code stored (typically onan Internet server) at the URL specified in the Applet is transferred tothe Java-enabled browser program. During the execution of the Appletcode, specified information resources on the Internet are accessed,along with requested input provided by the user through key-pad entry,or the like. Ultimately, information specified by the executed Applet isdisplayed on a Webpage for use by the user in accordance with theencoded-Applet.

[0181] Java-Applet encoded bar code symbols of the present invention canbe printed on or otherwise applied to various types of objects and/ormedia. When URL-encoded bar code symbols of this special type are readusing any one of the four Internet access methodologies described indetail hereinabove, the Internet Client System is automaticallyconnected to information resources specified by the scannedApplet-encoded bar code symbol, for processing and display in accordancewith the encoded Java-Applet.

[0182] Java-Applet encoded bar code symbols can be put to many uses. Forexample, Java-encoded bar code symbols can be applied to shippedpackages and parcels in order to access up-to-date deliveryinstructions, and/or shipping charges to be paid on a COD basis at thesite of delivery.

[0183] Java-encoded bar code symbols can be applied to consumer productsin order to: (i) access information pertaining to present or futuresales (e.g., specials) and/or advertising; (ii) carrying out consumerpurchase transactions using the portable data terminal shown in FIG. 17,or the like.

[0184] Java-Applet encoded bar code symbols can be applied to businesscards in order to facilitate accessing predetermined or prespecifiedinformation resources on the Internet pertaining to company, aparticular division or marketing group therein, and/or the personrepresented by the Applet-bearing business card. By simply scanning theApplet-encoded bar code symbol, the customer or potential businessassociate is automatically linked to information resources placed on theInternet that are useful or valuable to the customer of concern.

[0185] Java-Applet encoded bar code symbols can be applied to a creditcard or wallet-sized cards to enable the automatically launching of aJava-enabled program (on an Internet browser screen) which supports aparticular type of information-based transaction (e.g., financialtransaction; ticket purchase; information purchase; product purchase;service procurement; and the like). An advantage of such an applicationis that any thin-client system (e.g., Web-enabled laptop computer withbar code reader, or an Internet-enabled kiosk with a bar code ormagnetic stripe reader) can automatically be transformed into aUniversal Transaction Machine (UTM) using this Applet-encoded bar codesymbol based method of launching (and executing) Java-Applets fromInternet client information systems. Consequently, the need to constructspecialized transaction machines can be avoided using this aspect to thepresent invention.

[0186] Java-encoded bar code symbols can be applied to preprinted stocktrading cards and forms in order to facilitate the purchase and sale ofstock among traders, and specialists in the market.

[0187] Java-encoded bar code symbols can be printed upon financialinstruments (e.g., derivative instruments) and used to accessinformation necessary to compute and display the value or price thereofin a dynamically changing marketplace. In such applications, informationfrom a number of Internet servers may be required to compute and displaythe cost, price or value of the instrument at any given moment in time.

[0188] Java-enabled bar code symbols can also be applied to any object(e.g., print media) in order to access, process and displayInternet-based multi-media information (having graphic and/or audiocontent) to one or more users upon reading Java-Applet encoded bar codesymbol. By simply reading a Java-Applet encoded 2-D bar code symbol,pictures, text, computed figures, speech messages, music and/or videoclips can be displayed at the Internet Access System hereof.

[0189] Body-Wearable Bar Code Symbol Driven Internet Access System

[0190] In the above-illustrative embodiments, the bar code symbolreading device has been either supported within the hand of theoperator, upon a countertop surface or the like. It is contemplated,however, that the bar code symbol reader and other client-sidecomponents of the Internet access system hereof can be worn on the bodyof its operator as illustrated in FIG. 18 and 19.

[0191] As shown in FIG. 18, the body-wearable Internet access system ofthe present invention comprises: a bar code symbol scanning unit 70designed to be worn on the back of the hand; and a remote unit 72 (i.e.,body-wearable RF-based Internet access terminal) designed to be wornabout the forearm or foreleg of the operator by fastening thereto usingflexible straps or like fastening technology.

[0192] In the illustrative embodiment, hand-mounted scanning unit 70comprises: a light transmission window 71 for exit and entry of lightused to scan bar code symbols; a glove 70A worn by the operator forreleasably mounting housing 70 to the back of his or her hand; and alaser scanning bar code symbol reader 20, as described hereinabove withrespect to the other illustrative embodiments of the present invention.In other embodiments, other optical scanning devices may be used in lieuof unit 20 provided the depth of scanning provided thereto issatisfactory for the intended application.

[0193] In the illustrative embodiment, the remote unit 72 comprises: anLCD touch-screen type panel 73; an audio-speaker 74; a RISC-basedmicrocomputing system or platform 75A for supporting various computingfunctions including, for example, TCP/IP, HTTP, and other Internetprotocols (e.g., E-mail, FTP, etc.) associated with the use of anInternet browser or communicator program (e.g., Netscape Navigator orCommunicator, or MicroSoft Explorer programs) provided by the remoteunit; a telecommunication modem 75B interfaced with the microcomputingsystem; an RF transceiver 75C (e.g. employing DFSK or spread-spectrummodulation techniques) also interfaced with the telecommunication modemfor supporting a 2-way telecommunication protocol (e.g., PPP) known inthe art, between the microcomputing system and a remote transceiver 7B(described hereinabove) which is interfaced with ISP 4 connected to theInternet; a (rechargeable) battery power supply 75D aboard the remotehousing, for providing electrical power to the components therein aswell as to the bar code symbol reader 20; and a flexible cable 76, forsupporting communication between the bar code symbol reader 20 and themicrocomputing platform, and electrical power transfer from the powersupply to the bar code symbol reader. Notably, the remote unit 72 willembody one of the Internet access methods described hereinabove. Themethod used by remote unit 72 (i.e. Internet access terminal) willdepend on the information that is encoded within the URL-Encoded barcode symbol scanned by the bar code symbol reader thereof 20.

[0194] Optionally, a laser scanning bar code symbol scanner (without adigitizer or decoder) 20 can be contained within hand-mounted unit 70,and the necessary digitizing and scan-data processing can be carried outby the microcomputing system within the remote unit 72 using techniqueswell known in the art, or using special-purpose ASIC-type devicescontained within remote unit 72 also well known in the art. Suchconstruction techniques will allow the bar code scanning unit to beminiaturized small enough to be worn on the operators finger, in amanner well known in the art. Preferably, activation of the bar codesymbol scanning/reading unit is automatically controlled as taught inApplicants prior US Applications, incorporated herein by reference, butmay where suitable be manually activated using a trigger switch or likedevice mounted on hand-supported unit 70 or elsewhere within theconfiguration of the system.

[0195] Preferably, the remote unit 72 is worn on the forearm of theoperator so that the touch-type LCD panel 73 integrated therewith can beeasily viewed during use of the body-wearable system of the presentinvention. Thus, when an URL-encoded bar code symbol, Java-Applet barcode symbol or conventionally-encoded bar code symbol is read by thehand-mounted (or finger-mounted) bar code symbol reader 20, theinformation resource associated with the scanned bar code symbol anddisplayed on the LCD panel can be easily viewed by the operator. Also,in response to reading an URL-encoded bar code symbol, Java-Applet barcode symbol or conventionally-encoded bar code symbol, the operator maybe required to manually enter information to the HTML-encoded page beingdisplayed, using the touch-screen display panel 73 and pen-computingsoftware, well known in the art.

[0196] In alternative embodiment of the present invention, alarge-vocabulary speech recognition subsystem may be integrated withinthe remote housing 42 so that the user can enter information to theInternet browser by speaking rather than through manual keystroke, orpen computing techniques well known in the art and supported by themicrocomputing platform contained within the remote housing.

[0197] In some applications, it may also be desirable to mount the barcode symbol reader 20 on the finger or head of the operator and/or mountthe remote housing 72 on a different portion of the operators body(e.g., leg or waist). It may also be desirable to integrated all of thecomponents of the system into a single housing worn on a specificportion of the operators body.

[0198] In some applications, it may be desirable to provide alightweight headset having a miniature LCD display screen 77, amicrophone 78, and earphones 79, while providing the remote unit 72 withaudio and video input/output ports 80 for supplying audio input to themicrocomputing platform (within the remote unit) and audio and videooutput therefrom for driving the headset worn by the operator duringin-field use of the system, using a flexible communication cable 81, asshown in FIGS. 18 and 19. The function of the head-supported microphone78 would be to provide speech input to the microcomputing system forprocessing by a speech recognition subsystem realized thereaboard usingcommercially available speech-recognition software (e.g., from DragonSystems, Inc. Newton Massachusetts). The function of the head-mountedvideo-panel 77 would be to provide a convenient way of displayingHTML-encoded information pages accessed from the Internet in response toreading URL, Applet or conventionally encoded bar code symbols using barcoded symbol reader 20. The function of the earphones 79 would be toprovide a convenient way of supplying audio information encoded withinHTML-encoded information pages accessed from the Internet in response toreading URL, Applet or conventionally encoded bar code symbols using barcoded symbol reader 20. Such auxiliary devices 77, 78 and 79, interfacedwith the forearm-supported Internet-terminal 72, will provide theoperator with additional freedom to carry out his or her operations,whether they be inventory management, assembly-line or plant inspectionand/or repair, craft or vehicle inspection and/or repair, or the like.

[0199] In the case of craft or plant inspection and/or repair, the partsand subsystems of the system or plant under inspection or repair can bepermanently labelled with URL-encoded bar code symbols which, whenscanned, automatically access HTML-encoded information pages fromremotely situated Web-enabled database, for display on LCD panel 72, orhead-mounted LCD panel 77, as shown in FIG. 19. Audio information filesencoded in such Web page can be heard by the operator wearing earphones79. The uses to which such a body-wearable bar code symbol driven systemcan be put are infinite, limited only by the imagination of user.

[0200] While the body-wearable Internet access system of the presentinvention has been described in connection with URL-encoded andApplet-encoded bar code symbols, it is understood that this bar codesymbol driven system can also be used to access information resources onthe Internet (or other information networks) using conventional bar codesymbols that are encoded with information unrelated to the location (oraddress) of such information resources on the Internet, unlikeURL-encoded and Applet-encoded bar code symbols.

[0201] Also, while the Internet access methods of the present inventionhave been described above in great detail using 1-D and 2-D bar codesymbols, it is contemplated that in certain applications it will bedesirable to encode URLs or Domain Names/Path Names within one or moremagnetic stripes to provide URL-encoded (i.e., “mag-stripe”) cards formagnetic-stripe driven Internet access.

[0202] It is understood that the Internet Access System of theillustrative embodiments may be modified in a variety of ways in orderto carry out the various aspects of the present invention. All suchmodifications and variations of the illustrative embodiments thereof aredeemed to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention asdefined by the accompanying Claims to Invention.

What is claimed:
 1. A bar code driven system for accessing informationresources on the Internet, comprising: a bar code symbol readerprogrammed for reading bar code symbols encoded with informationrepresentative of the location of information resources stored ininformation servers connected to the Internet and supporting the TCP/IPstandard; Internet accessing means responsive to said bar code symbolreader, for accessing information resources from said informationservers using said TCP/IP standard and said address information encodedin bar code symbols read by said bar code symbol reader;telecommunication means operably connected to said Internet accessingmeans, for establishing a two-way telecommunication link between saidInternet accessing means and an Internet service provider (ISP)connected to the Internet so that said Internet accessing means canaccess information resources stored in said information servers atlocations specified by the information encoded in the bar code symbolsread by said bar code symbol reader; and display means for visuallydisplaying information resources accessed by said Internet accessingmeans, from said information servers connected to the Internet.
 2. Thebar code driven system of claim 1, wherein said bar code symbol readeris a device selected from the group consisting of a laser scanning barcode symbol reader, a CCD bar code symbol reader, and a wand-type barcode symbol reader.
 3. The bar code driven system of claim 1, whichfurther comprises information entry means for entering information intosaid system.
 4. The bar code driven system of claim 3, wherein saidinformation entry means comprises a keypad.
 5. The bar code drivensystem of claim of claim 1, wherein said Internet accessing meanscomprises: computing means for executing computer programs, including anInternet browser program; and an Internet browser program executable bysaid computing means and supporting the client-side of the HTTP standardso that said Internet accessing means can access HTML-encodedinformation resources from HTTP-type information servers.
 6. The barcode driven system of claim 1, wherein said telecommunication meanscomprises a modem.
 7. A bar code driven system for accessing informationresources from an information network, comprising: a bar code symbolreader programmed for reading bar code symbols encoded with informationrepresentative of the location of information resources stored ininformation servers connected to said information network and supportinga network communication protocol; network accessing means for accessinginformation resources from said information servers using said networkcommunication protocol and said information encoded in bar code symbolsread by said bar code symbol reader; telecommunication means operablyconnected to said network accessing means, for establishing a two-waytelecommunication link between said network accessing means and annetwork service provider (NSP) connected to said information network inorder that said network accessing means can access information resourcesstored in said information servers specified by the information encodedin the bar code symbols read by said bar code symbol reader; and displaymeans for visually displaying information resources accessed by saidnetwork accessing means, from said information servers connected to saidinformation network.
 8. The bar code driven system of claim 7, whereinsaid bar code symbol reader is a device selected from the groupconsisting of a laser scanning bar code symbol reader, a CCD bar codesymbol reader, and a wand-type bar code symbol reader.
 9. The bar codedriven system of claim 7, which further comprises information entrymeans for entering information into said system.
 10. The bar code drivensystem of claim 9, wherein said information entry means comprises akey-type data entry device.
 11. The bar code driven system of claim ofclaim 7, wherein said information network comprises the Internet, saidnetwork communication protocol is the TCP/IP standard, and said networkaccessing means comprises an Internet accessing means for accessinginformation resources stored in information servers connected to theInternet.
 12. The bar code driven system of claim of claim 11, whereinsaid Internet accessing means comprises: computing means for executingcomputer programs including an Internet access program; an Internetaccess program executable by said computing means and supporting theclient-side of the HTTP standard so that said Internet accessing meanscan access HTML-encoded information resources from HTTP-type informationservers.
 13. The bar code driven system of claim 12, wherein saidInternet access program is an Internet browser program.
 14. The bar codedriven system of claim 7, wherein said telecommunication means comprisesa modem.
 15. A bar code driven Internet access system, which comprises:a programmed bar code symbol reader for reading one or more URL-encodedbar code symbols printed on various types of media; and an Internetterminal operably connectable to said bar code symbol reader, and theInternet by way of an Internet Service Provider (ISP), for accessingHTML-encoded documents stored in information servers on the Internet,and displaying said HTML documents on a display surface; whereby, whensaid programmed bar code symbol reader reads each said URL-encoded barcode symbol, said Internet terminal automatically accesses said one ormore HTML-encoded documents having a World Wide Web (WWW) addressspecified by said read URL.
 16. The bar code driven Internet accesssystem of claim 15, wherein the bar code symbol reader may be a laserscanning bar code symbol reader, a CCD bar code symbol, or a Wand-typebar code symbol reader.
 17. The bar code driven Internet access systemof claim 15, wherein said URL-encoded bar code symbol is atruncated-type encoded symbol, having a very low height to length ratio.18. The bar code driven Internet access system of claim 17, wherein saidone or more URL-encoded bar code symbols are printed on a single sheetor page of a Web-site guide, along with their correspondinghuman-readable URLs and Web-site content descriptions.
 19. The bar codedriven Internet access system of claim 15, wherein said Internetterminal comprises: a computer system having a GUI-based web browserprogram; and said programmed bar code symbol scanner is interfaced withsaid computer system for automatically surfing to Web-sites listed in aWeb-site guide by simply scanning corresponding URL-encoded bar codesymbols printed on the page(s) thereof.
 20. The bar code driven Internetaccess system of claim 15, wherein said Internet terminal comprises aninteractive web-based television system having an audio-visual displaymonitor for displaying graphical and audio information content ofWeb-sites, and a portable Internet surfing device having said programmedbar code symbol reader integrated therewith.
 21. The bar code drivenInternet access system of claim 15, wherein said Internet terminalcomprises a Scanner Integrated Terminal having an integrated GUI-basedweb browser program, display panel, keypad, and said programmed bar codesymbol reader.
 22. A bar code driven Internet access system, comprising:a programmed optical character reader for reading one or more URLsprinted on various types of media; and an Internet terminal operablyconnectable to said programmed optical character reader, and theInternet by way of an Internet Service Provider (ISP), for accessingHTML-encoded documents stored in information serves on the Internet anddisplaying said HTML documents on a display surface; whereby, when saidprogrammed optical character reader reads each said URL, said Internetterminal automatically accesses one or more HTML-encoded documentshaving a World Wide Web (WWW) address specified by said read URL anddisplaying said accessed HTML-encoded documents on said display surface.23. The bar code driven Internet access system of claim 22, wherein theprogrammed optical character reader may be a laser scanning opticalcharacter.
 24. The bar code driven Internet access system of claim 22,wherein said one or more URLs are printed on a single sheet or page of aguide, along wwith their corresponding human-readable URLs and contentdescriptions.
 25. The bar code driven Internet access system of claim22, wherein said Internet terminal comprises a computer system having aGUI-based web browser program; and said programmed optical characterreader is interfaced with said computer system for automatically surfingto HTML-encoded documents listed in a guide by simply readingcorresponding URLs printed on the pages thereof.
 26. The bar code drivenInternet access system of claim 22, wherein said Internet terminalcomprises an interactive Web-based television system having anaudio-visual display monitor for displaying graphical and audioinformation content of HTML-encoded documents, and a portable Internetsurfing device having said Internet reader integrated therewith.
 27. AnInternet Scanning System of claim 22, wherein said Internet terminalcomprises a Scanner Integrated Terminal having an integrated GUI-basedweb browser program, display panel, keypad, and said programmed opticalcharacter reader.
 28. The bar code driven Internet access system ofclaim 22, wherein said bar code symbol reader has a scan field, and saidsystem further comprises an optically transparent scanning plateextending from said bar code symbol reader and disposed within saidscanfield, for aligning said URL-encoded bar code symbol with said scanfield.
 29. The bar code driven Internet access system of claim 27,wherein said bar code symbol reader is an automatic laser scanning barcode symbol reader having an object detection field spatially coincidentwith at least a portion of said scan field.
 30. The bar code drivenInternet access system of claim 27, wherein each said URL-encoded barcode symbol is a truncated bar code symbol.
 31. A Web-site guidecomprising: one or more sheets with a plurality of URL-encoded bar codesymbols printed thereon.
 32. A system for composing lists of URL-encodedbar code symbols for printing on various types of print media, saidsystem comprising: an Internet terminal operably connectable to Internetby way of an Internet Service Provider (ISP); and menu composition meansfor composing a menu of bar code symbols, wherein each said bar codesymbol is encoded with the URL of a HTML-encoded document having a WorldWide Web (WWW) addressed specified by said URL-encoded bar code symbol.33. The system of claim 32, wherein said Internet terminal comprises aprogrammed Web-enabled computer system having a graphical user interface(GUI) and an Internet browser program, and wherein said menu compositionmeans comprises a plug-in type module to said Internet browser program.34. The system of claim 33, wherein said Internet browser program andsaid plug-in type module allows a user of said system to compile, duringoperation of the Internet browser program, an information structureincluding a list of human-readable URLs corresponding to a set ofHTML-encoded documents and a set of URL-encoded bar code symbol datastructures corresponding to said URLs.
 35. The system of claim 34,wherein said information structure compiled from said system furthercomprises: a set of brief descriptions of content contained in saidHTML-encoded documents, and date or dates the set of Web-sites were lastvisited by the compiler, for subsequent printing in the form of a menu.36. A bar code driven Internet access system, which comprises: aprogrammed bar code symbol reader for reading one or more URL-encodedbar code symbols printed on various types of media; and an Internetterminal operably connectable to said bar code symbol reader, and theInternet by way of an Internet Service Provider (ISP), for accessingHTML-encoded documents stored in information servers on the Internet,and displaying said HTML documents on a display surface; whereby, whensaid bar code symbol reader reads each said URL-encoded bar code symbol,said Internet terminal automatically accesses one or more HTML-encodeddocuments having a World Wide Web (WWW) address specified by said readURL-encoded bar code symbol and displaying said accessed HTML documentson said display surface.
 37. The bar code driven Internet access systemof claim 36, wherein the bar code symbol reader may be a laser scanningbar code symbol reader, a CCD bar code symbol, or a Wand-type bar codesymbol reader.
 38. The bar code driven Internet access system of claim36, wherein said URL-encoded bar code symbol is a truncated-type encodedsymbol, having a very small height to length ratio.
 39. The bar codedriven Internet access system of claim 38, wherein said one or moreURL-encoded bar code symbols are printed on a single sheet or page ofprint media, along with their corresponding human-readable URLs andHTML-document content descriptions.
 40. The bar code driven Internetaccess system of claim 36, wherein said Internet terminal comprises: acomputer system having a GUI-based web browser program; and saidprogrammed bar code symbol scanner is interfaced with said computersystem for automatically accessing HTML documents listed in a guide bysimply scanning corresponding URL-encoded bar code symbols printed onthe page(s) thereof.
 41. The bar code driven Internet access system ofclaim 36, wherein said Internet terminal comprises an interactiveweb-based television system having an audio-visual display monitor fordisplaying graphical and audio information content of said HTML-encodeddocuments, and a portable Internet surfing device having said bar codesymbol reader integrated therewith.
 42. The bar code driven Internetaccess system of claim 36, wherein said Internet terminal comprises aScanner Integrated Terminal having an integrated GUI-based web browserprogram, display panel, keypad, and said programmed bar code symbolreader.
 43. A portable bar code driven Internet access system foraccessing information resources on the Internet, comprising: aprogrammed code symbol reader having a housing and means in said housingfor reading code symbols encoded with information representative ofinformation resources in information servers connected to the Internetand supporting the TCP/IP standard; Internet accessing means in saidhousing and being responsive to said programmed code symbol reader, foraccessing information resources from said information servers using saidTCP/IP standard and said information encoded in code symbols read bysaid code symbol reader; telecommunication means in said housing andbeing operably connected to said Internet accessing means, forestablishing a two-way telecommunication link between said Internetaccessing means and an Internet service provider connected to theInternet so that said Internet accessing means can access informationresources from said information servers, using the information encodedin the code symbols read by said programmed code symbol reader; anddisplay means on said housing, for visually displaying informationresources accessed by said Internet accessing means, from saidinformation servers connected to the Internet.
 44. The portable bar codedriven Internet access system of claim 43, wherein said code symbolreader is a device selected from the group consisting of a laserscanning bar code symbol reader, a CCD bar code symbol reader, and awand-type bar code symbol reader, and a magnetic-stripe reader.
 45. Theportable bar code driven Internet access system of claim 43, whichfurther comprises information entry means, associated with said housingfor entering information into said system.
 46. The portable bar codedriven Internet access system of claim 45, wherein said informationentry means comprises a keypad.
 47. The portable bar code drivenInternet access system of claim 43, wherein said Internet accessingmeans comprises: computing means for executing computer programs,including an Internet browser program; and an Internet browser programexecutable by said computing means and supporting the client-side of theHTTP standard so that said Internet accessing means can accessHTML-encoded information resources from HTTP-type information servers.48. The portable bar code driven Internet access system of claim 43,which further comprises means for mounting said housing to the arm of anoperator.
 49. The portable bar code driven Internet access system ofclaim 43, wherein said telecommunication means comprises a modem. 50.The portable bar code driven Internet access system of claim 43, whereinsaid information comprise a uniform resource locator (URL).
 51. Theportable bar code driven Internet access system of claim 43, whereinsaid code symbol is a bar code symbol and said code symbol reader is abar code symbol reader.
 52. The portable bar code driven Internet accesssystem of claim 43, wherein said code symbol reader is an automaticlaser scanning bar code symbol reader.
 53. A bar code driven informationaccess system for accessing information resources from an informationnetwork, comprising: a programmed code symbol reader having means formounting said code symbol reader to the arm of an operator and means forreading code symbols encoded with information representative ofinformation resources stored in information servers connected to saidinformation network and supporting a network communication protocol; ahousing for mounting to a portion of the body of said operator; networkaccessing means in said housing for accessing information resources fromsaid information servers using said network communication protocol andsaid information encoded in bar code symbols read by said programmedcode symbol reader; telecommunication means in said housing and beingoperably connected to said network accessing means, for establishing atwo-way telecommunication link between said network accessing means andan network service provider connected to said information network inorder that said network accessing means can access information resourcesfrom said information servers, using said information encoded in thecode symbols read by said programmed code symbol reader; and displaymeans integrated with said housing for visually displaying informationresources accessed by said network accessing means, from saidinformation servers connected to said information network.
 54. The barcode driven information access system of claim 53, wherein saidprogrammed code symbol reader is a device selected from the groupconsisting of a laser scanning bar code symbol reader, a CCD bar codesymbol reader, a wand-type bar code symbol reader and a magnetic-stripereader.
 55. The bar code driven information access system of claim 53,which further comprises information entry means, associated with saidhousing, for entering information into said system.
 56. The bar codedriven information access system of claim 53, wherein said informationentry means comprises a key-type data entry device.
 57. The bar codedriven information access system of claim 53, wherein said informationnetwork comprises the Internet, said network communication protocol isthe TCP/IP standard, and said network accessing means comprises anInternet accessing means for accessing information resources stored ininformation servers connected to the Internet.
 58. The bar code driveninformation access system of claim 57, wherein said Internet accessingmeans comprises: computing means for executing computer programsincluding an Internet access program; an Internet access programexecutable by said computing means and supporting the client-side of theHTTP standard so that said Internet accessing means can accessHTML-encoded information resources from HTTP-type information servers.59. The bar code driven information access system of claim 58, whereinsaid Internet access program is an Internet browser program.
 60. The barcode driven information access system of claim 53, wherein saidtelecommunication means comprises a modem.
 61. The bar code driveninformation access system of claim 53, wherein said bar code symbols areencoded with information representative of the location of informationresources stored in said information servers.
 62. The bar code driveninformation access system of claim 53, wherein said code symbol is a barcode symbol and said code symbol reader is a bar code symbol reader. 63.The bar code driven information access system of claim 53, wherein saidcode symbol reader is an automatic laser scanning bar code symbolreader.
 64. A portable bar code driven device for accessing informationresources from the Internet, comprising: a hand-supportable housing; aprogrammed bar code symbol reader, integrated with said hand-supportablehousing, for reading bar code symbols encoded with informationrepresentative of the location of information resources stored ininformation servers connected to the Internet and supporting the TCP/IPstandard; Internet accessing means, disposed in said hand-supportablehousing and responsive to said bar code symbol reader, for accessinginformation resources from said information servers using said TCP/IPstandard and said information encoded in bar code symbols read by saidprogrammed bar code symbol reader; a radio-frequency (RF) transceiver,integrated with said hand-supportable housing and being operablyconnected to said Internet accessing means, for establishing a wirelesstwo-way telecommunication link between said Internet accessing means andan Internet service provider (ISP) connected to the Internet so thatsaid Internet accessing means can access information resources stored ininformation servers at locations specified by the information encoded inthe bar code symbols read by said programmed bar code symbol reader; anddisplay means, integrated with said hand-supportable housing, forvisually displaying information resources accessed by said Internetaccess means from said information servers connected to the Internet.65. The portable bar code driven device of claim 64, wherein saidprogrammed bar code symbol reader is a device selected from the groupconsisting of a laser scanning bar code symbol reader, a CCD bar codesymbol reader, and a wand-type bar code symbol reader.
 66. The portablebar code driven device of claim 64, which further comprises informationentry means for entering information into said device.
 67. The portablebar code driven device of claim 66, wherein said information entry meanscomprises a keypad integrated with said hand-supportable housing. 68.The portable bar code driven device of claim of claim 64, wherein saidInternet accessing means comprises: computing means disposed in saidhand-supportable housing; and an Internet browser program executable bysaid computing means and supporting the client-side of the HTTP standardso that said Internet accessing means can access HTML-encodedinformation resources from HTTP-type information servers.
 69. A portablebar code driven device for accessing information resources from aninformation network, comprising: a hand-supportable housing; aprogrammed bar code symbol reader, integrated with said hand-supportablehousing, for reading bar code symbols encoded with informationrepresentative of the location of information resources stored ininformation servers connected to said information network and supportingthe TCP/IP standard; network accessing means, disposed in saidhand-supportable housing and responsive to said programmed bar codesymbol reader, for accessing information resources from said informationservers using said TCP/IP standard and information encoded in bar codesymbols read by said programmed bar code symbol reader; aradio-frequency (RF) transceiver, integrated with said hand-supportablehousing and being operably connected to said Internet accessing means,for establishing a wireless two-way telecommunication interface betweensaid Internet accessing means and an network service provider connectedto said information network in order that said Internet accessing meanscan access information resources stored in said information serversspecified by said information encoded in the bar code symbols read bysaid programmed bar code symbol reader; and display means, integratedwith said hand-supportable housing, for visually displaying informationresources accessed by said network accessing means from said informationservers connected to said information network.
 70. The portable bar codedriven device of claim 69, wherein said programmed bar code symbolreader is a device selected from the group consisting of a laserscanning bar code symbol reader, a CCD bar code symbol reader, and awand-type bar code symbol reader.
 71. The portable bar code drivendevice of claim 69, which further comprises information entry means forentering information into said device.
 72. The portable bar code drivendevice of claim 71, wherein said information entry means comprises akeypad mounted on said hand-supportable housing.
 73. The portable barcode driven device of claim of claim 69, wherein said informationnetwork comprises the Internet, and said network accessing meanscomprises an Internet accessing means for accessing informationresources stored in information servers connected to the Internet. 74.The portable bar code driven device of claim of claim 73, wherein saidInternet accessing means comprises: computing means disposed in saidhand-supportable housing; and an Internet browser program executable bysaid computing means and supporting the client-side of the HTTP standardso that said Internet accessing means can access HTML-encodedinformation resources from HTTP-type information servers.
 75. A systemfor routing, tracking and delivering packages from a shipping point to aplurality of destination points, comprising: a RTD Internet Serverconnected to the Internet infrastructure, for storing package deliveryinformation and package tracking information on each package logged-inwith said system; a Package Log-In/Shipping Computer Subsystem locatedat a shipping location and connectable to said RTD Internet Server byway of the Internet infrastructure, for entering package deliveryinformation and package tracking information on each package logged-inwith said system, and producing a URL/ZIP-CODE encoded bar code symbolfor application to each said package being logged-in with said system; aplurality of Package Routing Subsystems located at remote hub stationsand connectable to said RTD Internet Server by way of the Internetinfrastructure, for scanning URL/ZIP-CODE encoded bar code symbolsapplied to said packages, transmitting tracking information on saidpackage to said RTD Internet Server, and routing said packages withinsaid system; and a plurality of Package Delivery Computer Subsystemsconnectable to said RTD Internet Server, for accessing package deliveryinformation served therefrom.
 76. The system of claim 75, wherein saidRTD Internet Server comprises: a relational database management system(RDBMS) for storing package delivery information and package trackinginformation on each package logged-in with said system; an HTTP Serverfor serving HTML-encoded web-pages having URL-specified informationstorage fields represented therein, each said URL-specified informationstorage field being linked to one said package logged-in with saidsystem; and a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) for interfacing said RDBMSwith said HTTP Server.
 77. The system of claim 75, wherein said RDBMScontains information elements that are related to an information storagelocation in an HTML-encoded web-page which is specified by a UniformResource Locator (URL) that has been uniquely assigned to a particularpackage being tracked within said system.
 78. The system of claim 75,wherein said Package Log-In/Shipping Computer Subsystem comprises adesktop computer system and bar code symbol printer.
 79. The system ofclaim 75, wherein said Package Routing Subsystem is a portable scanningterminal programmed to automatically connect to said RTD Internet Serverupon reading a URL/ZIP-CODE encoded bar code symbol.
 80. A method ofrouting, tracking and delivering packages from a shipping point to aplurality of destination points, comprising the steps of: (a) applying aURL/ZIP-CODE encoded bar code symbol to each said package being trackedwithin said system; (b) reading said URL/ZIP-CODE encoded bar codesymbol on each said package at different locations within said system inorder to track the position of said package therein and facilitaterouting operations; and (c) reading said URL/ZIP-CODE encoded bar codesymbol on each said package in order to access delivery information froman Internet Server, for delivering said package to its destination. 81.A system for tracking objects and linking information thereto, saidsystem comprising: an Internet Information Server connected to theInternet infrastructure, for storing object tracking information on eachpackage logged-in within said system; a plurality of Client ComputerSubsystems connectable to said Internet Server by way of the Internetinfrastructure, for entering into said Internet Information Server andaccessing therefrom object-related information maintained on each objectbeing tracked by said system; and a Log-In Computer Subsystem forentering object identifying information into the Internet InformationServer in order to log-in each object to be tracked within said system,and producing a printed URL encoded bar code symbol for application toeach said object being logged-in within said system.
 82. The system ofclaim 81, wherein said Internet Information Server comprises: arelational database management system (RDBMS) for storing objecttracking information on each object logged-in within said system; anHTTP Server for serving HTML-encoded web-pages having URL-specifiedinformation storage fields represented therein, each said URL-specifiedinformation storage field being linked to one said object logged-in withsaid system; and means for interfacing said RDBMS with said HTTP Server.83. The system of claim 82, wherein said RDBMS contains informationelements that are related to an information storage location in anHTML-encoded web-page which is specified by a Uniform Resource Locator(URL) that has been uniquely assigned to a particular object beingtracked within said system.
 84. The system of claim 81, wherein saidLog-In Computer Subsystem comprises a desktop computer system and barcode symbol printer.
 85. A method of linking, storing and accessinginformation relating to an object using an Information Server,comprising the steps of: (a) applying a URL-Encoded bar code symbol toan object being logged-in with said Information Server; (b) storing inan Information Server, information related to said object; and (c)reading said URL-Encoded bar code symbol on said object in order toaccess information related to said object stored in said InformationServer.
 86. A bar code driven information access system for accessinginformation on the Internet, comprising: a programmed bar code symbolreader operably connectable to an Internet terminal having an Internetbrowser program operably associated therewith, said programmed bar codesymbol reader having means for reading a bar code symbol encoded with(i) the complete URL of an Internet information resource to be accessed,(ii) the Internet browser program command for writing the URL to saidInternet browser program, and (iii) an Internet browser program commandfor executing a Hyper-Text Transmission Protocol (HTTP) request on thesaid URL.
 87. The bar code driven information access system of claim 86,which further comprises: said Internet terminal operably connectable tosaid programmed bar code symbol reader, for interconnecting to theInternet infrastructure by way of an Internet Service Provider (ISP)using communication media or link and carrying out the client-side ofthe Internet protocol required to access and display said Internetinformation resource specified by said URL encoded within the bar codesymbol.
 88. The bar code driven information access system of claim 87,wherein said programmed bar code symbol reader comprises an opticalscanning device and scan data processor for optically scanning bar codesymbols, and producing words of digital scan data representative of thelength of the bars and spaces of the bar code symbol; programmabledecoder module for processing said words of digital scan data andproducing symbol character data representative of said decoded bar codesymbol; and data transmission module for transmitting said symbolcharacter data from said programmable decoder module to said InternetTerminal for use in accessing and displaying said Internet informationresource specified by said URL encoded within the decoded bar codesymbol.
 89. The bar code driven information access system of claim 88,wherein said optical scanning device optical scanning device and saidscan data processor comprises a bar code laser scanner.
 90. The bar codedriven information access system of claim 88, wherein said opticalscanning device optical scanning device and said scan data processorcomprises a CCD-based bar code scanner.
 91. A bar code driveninformation access system for accessing information on the Internet,comprising: a programmed bar code symbol reader operably connectable toan Internet terminal having an Internet browser program operablyassociated therewith, said programmed bar code symbol reader havingmeans for (i) reading a bar code symbol encoded with the complete URL ofan Internet information resource to be accessed, and (ii) automaticallyaffixing thereto (1) a prefix code string representative of the Internetbrowser program command that writes the URL said Internet browserprogram, and (2) a suffix code string representative of the Internetbrowser program command that executes a HTTP request on said URLprovided to said Internet browser program.
 92. The bar code driveninformation access system of claim 91, which further comprises: saidInternet terminal operably connectable to said programmed bar codesymbol reader, and including said Internet browser program forinterconnecting to the Internet infrastructure by way of an InternetService Provider (ISP) using communication media and carrying out theclient-side of the Internet protocol required to access and display saidInternet information resource specified by the URL encoded within thebar code symbol.
 93. The bar code driven information access system ofclaim 91, wherein said programmed bar code symbol reader comprises: anoptical scanning device and scan data processor for optically scanningbar code symbols, and producing words of digital scan datarepresentative of the length of the bars and spaces of the code symbol;programmable decoder module for processing said words of digital scandata and producing symbol character data representative of said decodedbar code symbol; an ASCII code generation module for generating (1) anASCII-based prefix code string representative of the Internet browserprogram command that writes the URL to the Internet browser program, and(2) a suffix code string representative of the Internet browser programcommand that executes said HTTP request on said URL; a code stringsynthesizer module for synthesizing the prefix and suffix code stringsproduced from said ASCII code generator, with the URL character stringfrom said programmable decoder module, in order to form a complete codestring; and data transmission module for transmitting said complete codestring to said Internet Terminal for use in accessing and displayingsaid Internet information resource specified by said URL encoded withinthe decoded bar code symbol.
 94. The bar code driven information accesssystem of claim 93, wherein said optical scanning device opticalscanning device and said scan data processor comprises a bar code laserscanner.
 95. The bar code driven information access system of claim 93,wherein said optical scanning device optical scanning device and saidscan data processor comprises a CCD-based bar code scanner.
 96. A barcode driven information access system for accessing information on theInternet, comprising: a programmed bar code symbol reader, operablyconnectable to an Internet terminal having an Internet browser programoperably associated therewith, said programmed bar code symbol readerincluding means for (i) reading a bar code symbol encoded with thecomplete URL of an Internet information resource to be accessed, and(ii) automatically affixing thereto prefix code strings representativeof (1) the Internet browser program command that writes the URL to saidInternet browser program, (2) the Internet protocol identifier, and(iii) affix thereto a suffix code string representative of the Internetbrowser program command that executes a HTTP request on said URLprovided to said Internet browser program.
 97. The bar code driveninformation access system of claim 96, which further comprises: saidInternet terminal operably connectable to said programmed bar codesymbol reader, for interconnecting to the Internet infrastructure by wayof an Internet Service Provider (ISP) using communication media andcarrying out the client-side of the Internet protocol required to accessand display said Internet information resource specified by the URLencoded within the bar code symbol.
 98. The bar code driven informationaccess system of claim 96, wherein said programmed bar code symbolreader comprises an optical scanning device and scan data processor foroptically scanning bar code symbols, and producing words of digital scandata representative of the length of the bars and spaces of the codesymbol; programmable decoder module for processing said words of digitalscan data and producing symbol character data representative of saiddecoded bar code symbol; an ASCII code generation module for generating(1) an ASCII-based prefix code string representative of the Internetbrowser program command that writes the URL into the Internet browserprogram, (2) the appropriate Internet protocol identifier, and (3) asuffix code string representative of the Internet browser programcommand that executes said HTTP request on said URL; a code stringsynthesizer module for synthesizing the prefix and suffix code stringsproduced from said ASCII code generator, with the URL character stringfrom said programmable decoder module, in order to form a complete codestring; and data transmission module for transmitting said complete codestring to said Internet Terminal for use in accessing and displayingsaid Internet information resource specified by said URL encoded withinthe decoded bar code symbol.
 99. The bar code driven information accesssystem of claim 98, wherein said optical scanning device opticalscanning device and said scan data processor comprises a bar code laserscanner.
 100. The bar code driven information access system of claim 98,wherein said optical scanning device optical scanning device and saidscan data processor comprises a CCD-based bar code scanner.
 101. A barcode driven information access system for accessing information on theInternet, comprising: a programmed bar code symbol reader, operablyconnectable to an Internet terminal having an Internet browser programoperably associated therewith, said programmed bar code symbol readerincluding means for (i) reading a bar code symbol encoded with thecomplete URL of an Internet information resource to be accessed, and(ii) automatically affixing thereto prefix code strings representativeof (1) the Internet browser program command that writes the URL to saidInternet browser program operably associated with said Internetterminal, and (2) the Internet protocol identifier, and (iii) affixthereto a suffix code string representative of the Internet browserprogram command that executes a HTTP request on said URL provided tosaid Internet browser program.
 102. The bar code driven informationaccess system of claim 101, which further comprises: an Internetterminal operably connected to said programmed bar code symbol reader,for interconnecting to the Internet infrastructure by way of an InternetService Provider (ISP) using communication media and carrying out theclient-side of the Internet protocol required to access and display saidInternet information resource specified by the URL encoded within thebar code symbol.
 103. The bar code driven information access system ofclaim 102, wherein said programmed bar code symbol reader comprises: anoptical scanning device and scan data processor for optically scanningbar code symbols, and producing words of digital scan datarepresentative of the length of the bars and spaces of the code symbol;programmable decoder module for processing said words of digital scandata and producing symbol character data representative of said decodedbar code symbol; an ASCII code generation module for generating (1) anASCII-based prefix code string representative of the Internet browserprogram command that writes the URL into the Internet browser program,(2) the appropriate Internet protocol identifier, and (3) a suffix codestring representative of the Internet browser program command thatexecutes a HTTP request on the URL entered into the Internet browserprogram; a code string synthesizer module for synthesizing the prefixand suffix code strings produced from said ASCII code generator, withthe URL character string from said programmable decoder module, in orderto form a complete code string; and data transmission module fortransmitting said complete code string to said Internet Terminal for usein accessing and displaying said Internet information resource specifiedby said URL encoded within the decoded bar code symbol.
 104. The barcode driven information access system of claim 103, wherein said opticalscanning device optical scanning device and said scan data processorcomprises a bar code laser scanner.
 105. The bar code driven informationaccess system of claim 103, wherein said optical scanning device opticalscanning device and said scan data processor comprises a CCD-based barcode scanner.
 106. A document tracking and management system, in whicheach document to be tracked and managed within the system is uniquelyassigned and affixed with a printed URL-encoded bar code symbol thatspecifies a particular information storage location within anHTML-encoded relational database management system (RDBMS), realized onan Web-based information server located on the Internet or behind thecorporate firewall of an HTTP-supporting Intranet.
 107. the documenttracking and management system of claim 106, wherein said document isselected from the group consisting of brochure, a drawing, 3-D objectsor specimens, a photograph, a specification, a blue-print, and the like.108. The Web-based document tracking and management system of claim 106,wherein information relating to a document registered within the systemcan be accessed therefrom by simply scanning the printed URL-encoded barcode symbol on the document using the bar code symbol reader associatedwith an Internet access terminal.
 109. The document tracking andmanagement system of claim 107, wherein said Internet access terminalcomprises: means for assigning a URL-encoded bar code symbol to anydocument to be registered with the system; means for enteringdocument-related information into the information storage locationassigned to the document within the Web-based RDBMS; means for printingURL-encoded bar code symbols for attachment to corresponding documentsregistered within the system; means for modifying the document-relatedinformation currently stored in the information storage locationassigned to the document within the Web-based RDBMS; and means foraccessing document related information from the system by reading itscorresponding URL-encoded bar code symbol.
 110. A Web-based packagerouting, tracking and delivery system, wherein one or more Routing,Tracking and Delivery (RTD) Internet Server Subsystems are connected tothe Internet and updated with package related information produced byeither (i) a Package Log-In/Shipping Subsystem that is located at aproduct shipping location (e.g., warehouse) and connected to the RTDInternet Server by a first data communication link, (ii) a PackageRouting Subsystem that is located at a hub station and connected to theRTD Internet Server by a second data communication link, or (iii) aPortable Package Delivery Subsystem that is carried by the packagedelivery person and connected to the RTD Internet Server by a wirelessdata communication link.
 111. A Web-based package routing, tracking anddelivery system comprising a plurality of remote hub stations, whereineach remote hub station within the system further comprises: means forreading URL-encoded bar code symbols on packages; means for recoveringthe URL-encoded in the bar code symbol at the hub station; and means forupdating the location of the package within the system using saidrecovered URL.
 112. The Web-based package routing, tracking and deliverysystem of claim 110, which further comprises means for reading theURL/ZIP CODE encoded bar code symbol using a portable (wireless)Internet access terminal and recovering the URL-encoded therein.